Tens the fight

Scan page 12

THE Labour Steering Committee Against Witch-hunts and those CLPs refusing to accept the NEC's diktat are to launch a joint campaign to defend the five editors of Militant expelled by the Labour Party's NEC last month.

* They aim to win wider support for the stand taken by forty-four Constituency Labour Parties who have signed an advertisement in Tribune declaring they will not expel Militant supporters.

Signatures

Representatives of the two campaigns agreed last Wednesday to launch a joint appeal for further signatures to the advertisement, second instalment of which is due to be published in early May.

The first instalment attracted considerable attention earlier this month because it established that the NEC was likely to experience great practical difficulties and resistance in carrying through its expulsions. Among the signatories are Islington Central and Hammersmith North CLPs whose members include Militant editors Peter Taaffe, Ted Grant and Keith Dickinson.

The General Committees of these parties have subsequently confirmed by large majorities that they will not comply with, the NEC's request to delete the names of these lifelong socialists from their membership records.

The two anti-witch-hunt bodies are also discussirg common activity to secur the NEC's reinstatement of the five editors by the next Labour Party conference at the latest, and L a broad campaign has also been suggested for the adoption of the Greenwich amendment to the Labour Party constitution.

Rights

This amendment would establish the right of all groups to operate in the party who accept its aims and objectives and who do not stand candidates against it in elections.

Labour movement bodies and individuals wishing to add their names to the Tribune advertisement when next published should write, enclosing £3, to "Tribune Advertisement'. , 11 Wilderton Road, London N16.

truments for