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Labour Government economic policy will involve policies, if it got elected, would fail. It would have the trade unions recognising how much of the expanCabinet have been using the Tory press to attack the LAST WEEK Chris Mullin interviewed Michael FOOT: I repudiate the charge against the Shadow "MULLIN: For weeks members of the Shadow you can turn on your television almost any night of MULLIN: Nobody is suggesting that you have, but not the same as lack of sharp internal debate. And hard-hitting, democratic internal debate in a party does not necessarily put off voters. Indeed, one of the essential socialist messages which Labour should be trying to get across to voters is that, to change society as it needs to be changed, we need a party which actively involves masses of working people in But unity in action, which we certainly need, is it would face a worse capitalist crisis. It would dis- no better policies than the 1974-9 government, and illusion and demoralise Labour supporters. It would pave the way for a quick return of Thatcherite axe- are urgent necessities. Without them the working class will suffer, nof slower progress, but rapid devas- be something desirable for the remote future. They Serious anti-capitalist policies cannot today just go into wages of one form or another." I.e., incomes sion of the nation's wealth over the next period can policy. And if there is no "expansion of the nation's offers only a prospect of stagnation interrupted by wealth" worth speaking of-for capitalism today slumps-then doubtless the incomes policy will mean no wage rises worth speaking of. The concentration of over 60% of the wealth in the hands of 10% of the the week and see Roy Hattersley or Peter Shore denouncing the party in more or less the same terms FOOOT: l'Il tell you what will happen if we continue this interview in this manner. Instead of all the interest being directed to all the policy questions ford, you'll have it all directed on to this discussion we have discussed or to the success of Bishops Stort- Tones gasonalities. We should avoid playing the between relatively open debate in the labour move- ment and Tory veneration of the Leader, does it become a liability. The problem is that so many Labour front-benchers do express shame and horror. not serve in a government committed to Labour policy on unilateral nuclear disarmament. So unity in the sense of no more attempts to dethrone Dennis Only if we start expressing shame at the contrast Moreover, Dennis Healey has stated that he will are enlightening on the prospects for the next Labour government if the Left does buckle under. Foot replies, "I hope very much thre will be la commitment in the manifesto], along the lines are many complications... On Common Market withdrawal, he says a mani- which we have agreed at the conference. But there The earlier parts of Mullin's interview with Foot Asked about unilateral nuclear disarmament, and harmoniously agreed. If Foot's weak good inten- tions are the only guarantee of Labour Party policy being carried out, then they will have little chance the Left yields to the pressure to become a silent backseat passenger in the Labour Party-then the prospect is of the Labour Party at the next election having nothing to offer which matches up to the Foot of course hopes that all this will be freely "FOOT: I'm not going to say anything further about Then Chris Mullin asked about Peter Tatchell. expense of real unity-unity to carry out majority festo commitment is "high probable... But ..." a lot would depend on discussion with socialist parties tainly no basis for winning a working class majority That's no basis for winning an election. It's cerMullin came back: "Let me just put one point But many activists argue, or at least feel, that a away with it]. I think we should." Again there is a The House of Lords? "Yes, I think we will [do fighting for a Labour victory against the Tories even That's why Socialist Organiser supporters, while be better than the Tories-so we should buckle 'but' ' "I don't believe you can get rid of it in a week under the present leadership, will go on fighting for the labour movement. Left wingers are accused of "playing the Tories' game" if they raise criticisms or Similar arguments are going on everywhere in tion-winner. But it's not. If, come election time, the SDP appear as more humane Tories, and Labour as The assumption is that Healey's policy is an elec- or a fortnight. It has to be done in accordance with the constitution." Remember that according to the abolished with the agreement of the House of Lords constitution the House of Lords can only be Party and in the trade unions. And we urge every left democracy and socialist policies both in the Labour winger within the party who is sincere in wanting to SPers tied to the unions, then the votes will go to Labour, Party for democracy and socialist policies, motivated on the need to win the next election. In short, a drive is on to brake the fight in the the SDP who at least pretend to have something Moreover, a Labour government with Healey's Labour government with Healey's Party policy rejects incomes policy). root argues Party policy rejects incomes policy). Foot argues Incomes policy? (Remember, TUC and Labour First, many argue that Labour needs unity to win was also setting up a national netCONDON_T ACTIDN in Tribune. The interview ended like this:

Cabinet.

as the Social Democrats.

tones all.

the Tatchell affair now...

you... FOOT: 'No, that's the end".

awkward questions.

DIREC EARNINGS related supplement to unemployment, sick and maternity pay has just been abolished, which means a cut of up to 45% for those who were entitled. But even before this took effect, the value of all state benefits had fallen below what they were worth at any time during the last ten years, according to the Labour Research Department.

Allied to this, as contributory benefits are cut in real terms, is a move towards greater dependence on means-tested supplementary benefits. So not only do you get less, you no longer have a right to anything and you face long investigations into whether you will be allowed the privilege of living on the bread line.

This is known as tackling the root problem of unemployment: the unfortunate tendency of the unemployed to keep living on after the time they have been deemed useless to society.

IF at first you don't succeed: The TUC Liaison Committee is to consider plans for "development Dano contracts" •negotiated between unions, management and the government, should we see another Labour government in our lifetimes. These would be backed by statutory powers and cover pricing strategy, the election.

lively political debate. policy.

under.

new.

Queen's Although there are on average 2,664 complaints of assault against the police a year, only about 47 police a year are prosecuted and of these only an average of 22 result in convictions. That's less than a 1% conviction rate. When police officers are charged with assault only 47% are convicted, compared with 89% of the general public charged with assault. However, the Director of Public Prosecutions, giving written evidence to the Home Affairs Select Committee is very doubtful whether an independent assessor for complaints against the police would have any effect. He claims product development, training policy, import penetration and industrial democracythe whole works [unless you count such trivia as who actually owns the company and grabs the profits al the end of the dayl.

These will replace the last Labour government's ill-fated "planning agree ments"

by Simon THE Fightback Conference against higher education cutbacks met at Sussex University on February 13, two days after an overwhelming decision at the Students Union General Meeting to occupy. The conference was organised by the Students Union and campus The administration had previously removed the Students Union capitation fee in response to the rent swinging-or worse.

Station.

Goes E in continental Europe. and the Queen!

Lindauf strike.

A speaker from Paisley Technical College (who are still in occupation) spoke of how their occupation had led to more and more students becoming involved in the fightback.

Before the occupation the students union had difficulty achieving a quorum at their meetings.

One of the most important issues at the conference the need to build trade was union and student unity.

Trade union liaison committees exist in some colleges but not in others.

A workshop on support from and for the local community discussed those problems, raising the importance of liaising with local trades councils, unemployed centres, and Labour Parties.

The importance of setting up crOSS union population will remain..

against Healey's scale of the convulsions of capitalism.

to struggle for socialism.

defeat the right wing to fight with us. unmen's prouDs women's stressed.

It was proposed to campaign for a joint student union/trade union action in the form of a one-day closure around the NUS week of action beginning in March.

The conference also agreed on the need for NUS to campaign for the restoration of student union autonomy.

The conference ended by setting up a national network to coordinate the fightback. on cuts and grants.

Sussex University Union are to organise a bulletin and form an editorial committee. Another conference was provisionally arranged for March at Manchester University.

For further details of this conference and the national contact list, contact the Sussex University Students Union, Brighton 698111.

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FIGHT THE CUTS! ACTO Less less e and or more