Out of the frying pan...?

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AS WE go to press, Peter Shore, Roy Hattersley and Neil Kinnock have declared themselves-as candidates for leader of the Labour Party, and Gerald Kaufman, Denzil Davles and Michael Meacher have come out as candidates for deputy loader. Eric To believe the press, the election is almost sewn up already Millions of blocks votes are being credited to candidates while the members of the unions concerned have only just read about The votes of UCATT, NUR, UCW and TGWU have been credited to Kinnock, of the AUEW to Hattersley, and the EETPU to Shore, while in almost every case not even the union executive has met. In the TGWU, where the executive has discussed the issue, a conference of the union is coming up in three weeks and The first thing that every affiliated trade unionist should demand is the most democratic possible decision on the union's vote — a conference discussion, if possible, or a ballot through Unfortunately, however, prospects are not good for this contest to have the same politicising effect in the trade unions as Tony Benn's deputy leadership campaign in 1981. None of the front-runners is any improvement on the retiring Foot leadership. The 'choice' we are offered is a clear reflection of the crisis Peter Shore is a strong advocate of wage controls and of the witch-hunt, and was the most rabid jingoist during the Falklands war. Roy Hattersley is a more sophisticated right-winger, but equally supports wage controls, opposes unilateral nuclear disOn policy issues Neil Kinnock has generally spoken for conference decisions. But where there is room for doubt, he veers to the right. As front-bench spokesperson on education, for example, he has firmly refused to give a pledge to restore Tory cuts. On the democracy struggles of recent years and on the witch-hunt, his record has been consistently bad. He played a central role in defeating Tony Benn's challenge to Dennis Healey for deputy The Left should be pressing for candidates who will oppose the witch-hunt and defend the democratic reforms and policy victories of the last few years against the right-wing backlash. Such a Left slate may not have much chance of winning, but it can provide a focus for campaigning, agitating, educating and organisIt could also increase pressure on the front-runner candidates to make commitments against a further witch-hunt.

The obvious Left candidate, Tony Benn, is not possible because he has lost his seat as an MP. Another problem in getting a Left slate is that many sections of the Left are reluctant to make the necessary challenge to the Kinnock 'centre'.

As of now the most likely Left candidates are Michael Meacher and Eric Heffer. They are not ideal: Meacher has favoured incomes policy (though unlike Shore and Hattersley he has not tried to sabotage Labour conference policy), Heffer has been wobbly at many points in the democracy struggles of recent years. It would be good to have a woman candidate, and Jo Richardson is well qualified in other ways too. Dennis Skinner would Still, if it comes down to Meacher and Heffer, they should be supported. In the main struggles in the Labour Party in recent years, they have at least been on the right side of the fence. A campaign behind them would be able to continue the progressive Many on the Left may have a more optimistic view of Kinnock than Socialist Organiser, and /or want to make sure that Kinnock defeats Shore and Hattersley. But because the election is by eliminating ballot, not first-past-the-post, a Left slate will not rinder that. Delegates can vote for Left slate first and Kinnock on a later round (even if they have to grit their teeth to do so!)

We cannot afford to let our whole political vision be taken up by calculations of lesser evils. At the same time as the leadership contest, we must also work to rearm the labour movement politically, to take the fight for democracy into the trade unions, to build Labour Party workplace branches, to regroup a fighting, principled left wing capable of standing its ground under pres sure, and to turn outwards to mobilising against the.Tories.

Gay men can still be arrested for having sex if they are under 21 or if there is a policeman snooping.

In jobs, in education, in housing, in child custedy, gays and lesbians face continuing discrimination. Join the fightback: LCGR, c/o 6la Bloom Street, Heffer may also stand for leader.

the race in the newspapers.

should have the right to take the decision. OF WALLIES, KNOW WHAT I MEAN?? SNATCH