[An open letter to the conferent organisers Dear…]

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An open letter to the conferent organisers Dear Comrade, The Conference on Plastic Bullets yesterday was an important political initiative which must be built on in this country, and you and the other conference organisers (whoever they were!) should be congratulated, and especially for your decision to give Owen Carron, M.P., a political platform in England.

However, not having been allowed to speak to the Conference, I would make some criticisms by letter. Firstly, although the pristine purity of the politics of the R.C.P. has about as much appeal as chastity, the Just out from Pluto Press: an analysis of capitalism in crisis from regular Socialist Organiser contributor Bob Sutcliffe. £2.50 from bookshops, or with 50p post and saibing) from Pluto.

TrE Mores. 1055 speaker from who described levitac chould ULEII called on to withdraw that remark. Not only is it untrue, but resorting to the use of smearssof this kind merely stop the mouth of political argument and is more a political style' associated with fleet Strect by-election (and the rest) reporting.

Secondly, I thought it was misbegotten and indefensible that the letter from Clive Soley, M.P., shouid have been read out from the Chair, like holy writ, - without the Conference even being afforded the opportunity to let this Member know what it thought of his views - which the Chair insisted be contributed and the platform them as Paishava haan. treated like every other contribution to the Conference. Fair enough, but every other contributer to the Conference was open to criticisn by the delegates attending. The Conference Organising Committee even refused to allow a resolution to be put to Conference responding to Soley's letter and formally communicating a view to him from the delegates in attendance. What does M.P. stand for? - Monopolist of Privilege?

Responses As I see it, the Conference could have made two responses to Soley's message - cither the Organising Co.voc mmittee could have circulated Suggestion Slips to delegates inviting ideas on what alternative technologies to plastic bullets are available both to maintain law and order (sic) and to soothe 'liberal' consciences (we could have offered a prize for the best suggestion of a place on one of Kenneth and what I think should have been done, the Conference could have made a call on Soley to resign forthwith.

To quote your letter of welcome: "The Conference Is organised in support of Labour Party policy which condemns the present gov125, March 24, 1983, Page

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Newman's training courses, or a day outing in Mansfield with Don Concannon) OR,