CLPD setback in fight for Labour democracy

Scan page 2

THE CENTRAL debate at the crowded AGM of the Campaign for Labour Party Democracy, last Saturday 5th, was on whether CLPD should register. It ended with a 270 to 297 defeat for Just before this debate there had been practically unanimous votes opposing all expulsions on the basis of the register, and it started on a comradely tone.

Moving the pro-registration motion, Maurice Jones said that he 'detested' the register and would vote for a group like Labour Against the Witch-hunt to boycott it. There was 'a limit to what he would accept from conference' - he would defy decisions to expel socialists.

But, he argued, CLPD could not afford the risk of a boycott, which would lead to it losing trade union affiliations and members.

John Bloxam replied. CLPD especially should boycott the register, beTHE Labour Party National Executive Committee meeting passed • a resolution supporting the water workers. Few water workers will get to hear about it -because it was left 'lying on the table' David Basnett had phoncause its job was to lead the fight for democracy in the Labour Party. An effective boycott could be organised. The alternative was for CLPD to give aid and comfort to an increasingly discredited device for witch-hunting.

•Then the debate degenerated. Jim Devine shouted threats that all CLPD's Scottish affiliates would withdraw if the campaign boycotted the register. Alistair MacRae made a similar threat - similarly with no apparent mandate - from NUPE.

Leading CLPD official Pete Willsman claimed that: "A lot of people in this room have very little Vladimir Derer: victorious on the egister interest in CLPD. They want to throw CLPD across the railway lines for their own purposes" . Willsman and others had openly threatened to split CLPD if the AGM voted to boycott.

Speaking for the boycott, Reg Race condemned the threats and the implication that the pro-boycotters were johnny-come-latelies. Kevin Barron, s the Yorkshire A also favoured bo Audrey Wise | that the NEC h backed down cr on the register, that non-registe would not nece outlawed. This, was a measure NEC's tolerance strength of the c boycott.

The conferen‹ on the register ent in nature froi on issues like un ciear disarman said. Democracy ded rights for Maurice Jones h would resort to d ainst expulsion: Wise drew the register.

Jo Thwaites a the register is machine for witc If the CLPD wa accept that confe ereignty legitim then the next ste! to accept expulsi The force of Jo argument was s! when CLPD secre imir Derer oppo for CLPD to supp tuency Labour Pa ing the NEC on, because it "coul organisation to at But the vote st a solid pro-regist: had been mobilis ly a wide range accepted the peaking for Area NUM, ycott. pointed out lad already onsiderably . conceding red groups essarily be she said, not of the : but of the ampaign to ce decision was differm decisions lilateral nunent, she • also incluminorities. lad said he ¡efiance ags.. Audrey line at the rgued that simply a h-hunting. s going to erence sovlated this, p would be ons. , Thwaites' hown later etary Vladsed a call ort constiuties defyexpulsions I open our tack" lowed that ration bloc ¡ed. Clearof people argument from Labour Party conference sovereignty. But what swung the vote was the numbers provided by Clause 4 and the LCC -currents close in political outlook to the Communist Sweep • In elections for the CLPD executive, pro-registration people got a clear majority (about 2:1). But, with the AGM so finely balanced, the bloc behind leading CLPD officials Derer and Willsman did not get the clean sweep they sought.

On three important resolutions, moved by John Bloxam, Reg Race, and Nigel Williamson, the Left won.

Despite Vladimir Derer's arguments, the AGM voted to "call on CLPs not to carry out expulsions, and oppose any consequent action taken against them". Many who had accepted the 'conference sovereignty' argument on registration drew the line (unlike Vladimir Derer) on expulsions. The AGM also instructed the EC to 'campaign vigorously" for "total repeal" of the register, and threw out the Derer line of going for a 'modified' register (the 'Manchester Withington' formula).

AGM also defeated a blustering resolution from Derer and CLPD treasurer , Victor Schonfield,. calling proposals. on the Left 'to face facts and accept the CLPD strategy" •The Derer faction had listed all these, alongside registration, among the issues on which they would split unless they got their way. Reg Race voiced a fear shared by many: that the faction will now use its domination on the EC simply to ignore the AGM decisions it finds unacceptable.

The conduct of the new EC majority in the period before the AGM can only have damaged CLPD's standing as a leading force in the fight for Labour democracy.

But policies passed at the AGM provide a basis for it to continue in the front line. The size of the Left vote, and the election of a section of the Left onto the new EC, show the strong feeling for a united campaign.

The test for the CLPD now is whether the AGM decisions will be carried out - in particular, the dumping of the 'Manchester Withington formula: back an open fight to expulsions.

Join the Campaign for Labour Party Democracy £4 individuals, £2 unwaged $4.50 couples.

Affiliate your organisation: £5 per year.

To: Victor Schonfield, Treasurer, 21 Wallingford Ave, London W10 6QA.

----- pull-quotes -----

Martin Thomas and John Bloxam report

Bloxam PP/<