Left wins
Socialist Organiser1982 1982-07-01Read it in the scan (PDF), scan page 6 →
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to choose their own parliamentary candidates.
A last word on the witchhunt. Last year, when I was and when the Militant enquiry was first set up, it was interesting that one of the targets for special investigation with regard to the Militant was Bermondsey. And we've all noted with interest that Bermondsey has not been mentioned in the report of the current investigation into Militant! diction between the struggle for accountability and socialist policies on the one hand, and on the other hand, the need to campaign and win the public to the alternative socialist programme of the Labour •I think the two go hand in Chan - one without the other is a pointless, meaningless exercise.
But to some extent I do agree with the view held by many of us do spend too much time on party activities as opposed • public campaigning would like to see ever culsuutul.
ber commit themselves to set asiae al least one nign a week for campaigning Frankly I think Michae oot and the other mem ers of the NEC and th 'LP should give a lead i this direction. Instead o witch-hunting against the ATLn Wonon a nur lnem to go out on the doorsteps tor two hours a week and set a good example to the rest of the party! SUNDERLAND North GC have selected left winger Rob Clay as their prospective parliamentary candidate for the second time in nine months.
In the first vote, held back in October 1981, Clay was selected with a clear majority - only to be knocked back by the NEC. The reason given was that he didn't have two years' membership.
This two year guideline - and it is just that, a guideline, has been over ruled in a number of previous cases, most notably in the case of Jimmy Reid.
The conclusion is inescapable that Clay was blocked because of his left wing views, and no doubt the right both on the NEC and in Sunderland North hoped that their second bite at the cherry would be more protitable.
It is quite likely that attempts will be made to either block Clay again or at least attack him in the press. Four days after the October selection, rightwing councillor Joe McGrath was in the Sunderland Echo voicing his doubts about Clay.
However, the left majority in Sunderland North, which is heavily composed of delegates from the NUM and Boilermakers Union, have left no-one in doubt as to who is their choice.