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Socialist Organiser1983 1983-01-27Read it in the scan (PDF), scan page 3 →
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Right why MOST CLPu supporters accept that this Saturday's AGM wil be the most important in its 10-year history. Its size will undoubtedly reflect this.
At stake is the future of a campaign which is supported by over 1,000 individual Labour Party members, 500 organisations (including national trade unions) and 141 CLPs; which has an influence far beyond that; and which has led the ness-as-usual' manifesto rejecting conference policies. Now is not the CLPD's future. If comrades do choose a split, it will not be because the stated The Campaign for Labour Party Democracy meets for a crucial Annual Gener al Meeting in London this Saturday, 29th. Some members are threatening it with a split. CLPD executive member John Bloxam argues that this is The leading officers have denounced the idea that: "Having secured the control of the AGM and the EC, all that needs to be done is to order those officers on whose contribution CLPD work depends 'to carry out majority decisions'"
The idea of CLPD's elected officials implementing majority decisions is represented as bureaucrațic dictation, treating "'CLPD officers" as 'Apolitical paid staff".
In the latest CLPD Campaign Francis THE enemies of Party democracy are rubbing their hands in anticipation. They will be watching every minute before, during and after the CLPD AGM for the smallest inkling of a personal attack or a tornup membership card. For they know, as we should also know, that any splintering of the campaign could have a critical impact on the wider struggles that lie ahead.
Whether as individuals we get from the AGM all, some (most likely!) or none of the results we would prefer, the prospects of a constructive way forward will be much enhanced if in uniting around the policies which are eventually decided we all show full racy respect for tactical differences and do not question the good faith or socialist credentials of those with whom we disagree.
We must do everything we can not just to reach what seems to each of us to be the wisest possible decisions, but also to do so in a way which will reassure every single CLPD member that she/he will continue to be valued and needed within the campaign.
CLPD has always been a 'broad church' of the more radical forces within our Party. Unless it remains so, its capacity to win Conference majorities will seriously diminish.
The enemies of Party democracy will be looking this Saturday night for something to celebrate. We must not let them have it!