3-line whip on abortion!

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Or Socialist Organiser is not just a We fight to organise workers struggle for a new leadership labour movement.

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To Get Organised' in the fight, us at 28 Middle Lane. London N8. Name Address. paper. in the in the calling for British withdrawal and for an end to the use of plastic bullets. Delegates must force the Conference Arrangements Committee to have a debate on Ireland. None of the issues were resolved last year. FOR the first time, Labour's Programme contains a radical set of policies for women. Along with this advance has been the incredible growth in women's organisation in the Party and the formation of demands for constitutional change to give women a real voice in the movement. This year's Conference reflect these changes. The number of women delegates has been vastly increased _- although problems have arisen over the inclusion of extra women delegates from CLP's; the constitutional changes carried by Women's Conference are now forcefully evident on the Agenda; and a number of women's policy issues also appear. Amongst these demands are calls for equality in taxation, increased child care facilities, protection for homeworkers, and changes to the male-orientated concept of the AES. Within the 'Women's Rights' resolutions, and Labour Abortion Rights Campaign in its own section, the abortion issue also appears on the Agenda. Although the 1977 Conference carried overwhelmingly a definitive policy composite on this issue, the Party's Programme still evades any real commitment to radically changing the law and consequently it is vital that the explicit provisions set out in this year's resolutions are carried. These call for the removal of existing legislation which makes abortion a criminal offence outside certain restricted conditions and also demands permissive legislation to ensure a woman's right to choose.

However,: one pit-fall that has to be avoided is the inclusion in any abortion composite of the Edinburgh Central Amendment which calls for a 3 line whip on Labour MP's on this issue. This amendment must appear separately if we are to ensure success on the main policy points. Hopefully Conference will accept the Amendment as well; it is about time our "MP's were pressed to give women the right to choose instead of hogging this choice for themselves. But given past votes on the 3 line whip, it is an issue we need to win separately without jeopardising the main thrust of our policies by defeat on an all inclusive composite. 7.30: Peace Rally: Pavillio Theatre, Winter Gai dens.

TUESDAY 5.15: 'New Socialist' Forur Spanish Hall Winte Gardens. 5.30. LARC Meeting. Th Lobster Pot, Marke St. 7.00: Women's Fightback Meeting. 'Suppor the Health Service Workers 7.00: LCI Discussion Mee Wing. Guest Hous Association. 87a Coronatio Road. 8.00: LCGR Why the L should fight for Ga Rights. Speakers. . Joa Lestor, Ken Livingstone, J Richardson. Peter Tatchell ‹ representatives from the Ga Youth Movement & Judit Williams Defence Committe Cliff Hotel, Queen's Prom enade.

WEDNESDAY 5.30: LCI Rally. Spar Wish Hall, Winter Ga dens. 6.00: Women's Campaign for Jobs Meeting Trades & Labour Club. 7.30. Tribune Rally. Par Million Theatre, Winte Gardens.

THURSDAY 12.30. Turkey Solidarity Campaign Meeting Circle Lounge Bar, Winte Gardens. 5.30: SCLV Meeting 'Wha Socialist Organise Stands For. Chamber o Trade, 53, Queen St. 7.30: CLPs Against the Witch-hunt Meeting The Lobster Pot, Market St

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Socialist Örganiser no. Í01 September 23 1982 Page 11