Tatchell Hits Back

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DETED Trinhall cnnka rEIch racHen spong to Socialist Organiser on Monday 7th, after the NEC Organisation Sub-committee had refused to endorse him.

First, we asked him how thought Labour could beat the SDP.

We need radical and imaginative socialist policies which can bring about a real socialist transformation of society. That is the only way we can bring about Britain's industrial recovery and economic prosperity, together with encial inctice and equality for all citizens.

we have mental redistribution of wealth and power in society, we will never be able to secure full employment and better housing, education and health care for working class people. We've got to argue that case openly and honestly, and mobilise and inspire the electorate on this basis to ensure a Labour victtory in the next election.

Had any local Labour voters rejected Peter because of his politics?

There are a few. But a laall iharal rana me up on Saturday and said he was tearing up his Liberal cara and joining the Labour Party because he was convinced that, in place of the apathy of the past, the Labour Party in Bermondsey really was a force for social change.

Look at what the Liberals are doing in Liverpool. It's an absolute disaster for the people there, in terms of mass redundancies and cutting back social services for the elderly and disabled.

Here in Southwark the Labour councillors who have datontad to the SDP ni nalalan Mou pushed through cuts at the They have sold off Bermond- Miahaal MocaltinA. IVE sey riverside to property speculators, implemented 37 per cent rent increases, refused a union agreement to their local authority employees, and sold off council land earmarked for new council These policies have been deeply unpopular, and we have found that the only way to reverse this unpopularity for Labour is by arguing clearly for a radical socialist alternative. issues such as the reopening of St Olave's Hospital, houses with gardens for local people on Hays Wharf instead of offices, and a rent freeze for local tenants' What sort of membership has the Bermondsey Labour Party built up?

*Most are born and bred in Bermondsey, and most are working class. For example, the chairperson of the Party is Ted Bowman, a printworker, member of SOGAT, and member of the Labour Party for over 30 years.*

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Socialist Organiser December Page no. 65 Gerry Byrne