September 11 - a chance to organise

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Labour movement conference: September Fight the Tories, not the Socialists!

At Wembley Conference Centre, London All bona fide labour movement organisation: re entitled to send delegates (maximum 5 pe organisation), and are invited to sponsor the conference. Credentials fee £1 per delegate.

Credentials from Tony Saunois, 23 Ironside House, Homerton Road, London E9 5PW.

Cheques payable to Labour Movement THE Labour Movement HE "Labour Movement Conference' - "Fight the inference' - "Fight the Tories, not the Socialists" pries, not the Socialists" -on Saturday September 11 could be the major national rallying point against the right's intended purge in the run-up to this year's Party Conference in Blackpool.

If the Left can fill the 2,500 capacity Wembley Conference Centre with delegates from the labour movement, we will шаке demonstratien " a massive rejection of the witch-hunt.

But we need to do more than just fill the seats. If the Conference - initiated by Militant - turns out to be just a large spectacle, a rally with speeches to the converted, then we'll have missed a chance.

The basis exists for organising resistance to the witch-hunt. According to the conference organisers, "well over 200 CLPs have opposed .. (this witch-hunt) .. along with hundreds of trade union branches and shop stewards' committees"

Most groups in the Party have so far refused to register. Even the LCC (England), initially favourable to the NEC decision, has refused to register, for now at least.

But this decision came more from the pressure of opposition, including threats disaffiliation, than all new-found sense of principle among the majority of the Executive.

What the Conference organisers intend is, at this stage, not clear. They state simply that: The Conference is being convened to oppose the witch-hunt and launch a campaign to 'Fight the Tories not the Socialists'."

Talking to SO, the organisers indicated that a statement will be presented to the Conference. It will be circulated, probably next week, with a Conference agenda and credentials.

We asked the organisers whether resolutions would be allowed from delegating organisations, but we have had no clear yes or no.

The issue of resolutions and amendments at the Conference is extremely important. The possibility of having a full discussion, putting forward additional or alternative proposals, and taking clear decisions, will determine how far the Conference will play a role in organising the opposition.

The Conference will not play such a role if it turns out to be a cross between a Militant Rally and an LCDTU. organised "conference'. ', heavily stage-managed around a previously fixed and completely unalterable statement that is 'presented' for 'approval' The call for a democratically organised conference, with the possibility of discussing different proposals and taking decisions on action, should be made to the Conference Organising Committee (address below) as soon as possible from delegating organisations. They should also send off any resolutions they wish to see discussed.

In addition to deciding to call for a democratically organised Conference, the last meeting of the Unregistered Alliance also urged delegating organisations to submit resolutions along the following lines.

That the Conference should express: Conference Fund *Total opposition to the NEC decision, the compulsory register of groups, (the new proscribed list), and any disciplinary action arising out of it.

*Full support for refusal to cooperate with any inquiries into groups and organisations in the Party.

*Full support for those groups and organisations who have refused to register put support for those CLPs who have already indicated that they will refuse to discipline or expel any member for any reason arising out of the NEC Report on the Militant Tendency.

*Support for the Conference of Constituency Parties Against the Witchhunt (Saturday 30 October).

Co-ordinating meeting of Labour Parties Against the Witch-hunt on Saturday 4 September at 2.00pm at County Hall, Westminster SEI.

UNREGISTERED ALLIANCE. Next mecting, Thursday September 2 at 7.30pm in County Hall, London. Contact: 28 Middle Lane, London N8 8PL.