Labour Liaison '82 -failing the test?

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Graham from of left activists in Labour Liaison 82.

THE Labour Liaison 82 meeting on January 23 certainly failed to reflect chairperson Norman Atkinson's assertion that we were entering "the most critical period for the Left this century" There were, no doubt, a number of interesting and useful contributions from the delegates present. But the test of any structure is what it actually does, and judging from the first meeting, the signs are not encouraging.

This was probably inevitable for two reasons. Firstly it was made clear from the very beginning that Labour Liaison 82 was not a new organisation, but rather an "operation link" , to use Norman Atkinson's words.

Secondly, without any focus as yet for a direct challenge to the Party leadership, the specinc content of last year's Rank and File Mobilising Committee campaign was missing.

Tony Benn himself made it clear that he "wished to reassure those who had doubts" that at Bishop Stortford "no assurances were sought or given. I was not in a position to bargain away the rights of the movement"

But he too justified a low key approach. "The TUC and Labour Party conferences have majoritised our view. Why minoritise ourselves?" he asked.

In the light of the witch-hunts in which the leadership have made no signs of retreat, we may well ask just Where is our majority in the Parliamentary Party and on the NEC. The one matter in which some specific form of action seems possible was organising now for the NEC elections in October. It is hoped that Labour Liaison 82 will give a lead in coordinating a proper slate for all sections of the NEC. For, failing this, it may well be that local groups will have to take the initiative themselves.

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Briefing discusses the January 23 meeting