Linking PLP left to rank and file about the new left group set up by 22 MPs
Socialist Organiser1982 1982-10-14Read it in the scan (PDF), scan page 10 →
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Nhat they think Reg Race MP spoke to Socialist Organiser lembley conference - campaign must avoid sectarian wrangling JON TEREN MY PERSONAL view is that we should link the real Left in the Parliamentary Labour Party with the constituency parties and the Broad Lefts JOHN HARRIS of trade unions.
We have to break down the parliamentarism of the Labour Left, and to ensure that we build a real movement to achieve stated objectives.
What role do you think the new group can play in the struggle against the witchI think the new group will have to take that as one of its objectives - to defeat the expulsions of socialists from the Labour Party. Indeed, that is one of the reasons why the group was set up -because we simply couldn't stomach the Tribune group's decision to register.
We have to encourage those constituency parties who are faced with decisions about expulsions, or replacing their parliamentary candidates, to stand firm and not be intimidated by the NEC.
What sort of relations do you foresee or hope for with the Tribune newspaper?
We want close links with the new Tribune newspaper, and with other newspapers on the Labour Left. We think that's important because we have to have a number of organs to express our views. It's extremely helpful that the Tribune newspaper is now under new management and is taking a very different editorial line from what it was 12 months ago.
It looks as if we may have a general election before very long. Do you see the new group as having ary distinctive role within an election campaign?
I certainly see the group as having a distinctive role up *o and including the general election campaign - that is, to fight for the socialist policies agreed by the Party conference, to build a movement •to ensure that the manifesto of the Party adequately reflects those agreed policies, and to try to build up an extra parliamentary support for a socialist Labour government which will face the ‚possibility of destabilisation and intervention by outside forces after an elęction victory.
I also see the new group as being very important in relation to the working class in general. if you ask yourself the question: who is going to argue for and fight for the Labour Party's policies, it has got to be the Left - and that voice has been silent for quite a long time. It's about time it was mobilised properly.