Broad Left fight for democracy'
Socialist Organiser1983 1983-01-13Read it in the scan (PDF), scan page 14 →
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Suspected 'illegal immigrants' are facing not only threats by the Home Office to deport them, hut refusal by the DHSS to pay them supplementary benefit and child benefit. The Khan and Kaur Defence Campaign has called for a protest on Monday January 31. THE 'Broad Left Organising Committee (Trade Unions)' is calling a conference about 'Accountability of the Block Vote' on Saturday February 19, with Tony Benn as main speaker, at County Hall, London (10.30 am to 6pm). The chairperson and secretary of the committee are circulating the following statement:
'It is our intention that the conference shall be as representative of the Left in the trade union movement as possible. Consequently we are extending invitations only to genuine Broad Left organisations within the unions and to trade union official organisations.
The main aim of the conference will be to discuss the whole issue of how the block vote is cast within the TUC and Labour Party on policy and the election of the leadership of our movement. It is quite clear to our committee that it is vital that the Left arrive at a correct view on how we can extend democracy within The last TUC and Labour Party conferences have both raised the issue of trade union voting at these National Day of Action STOP THE DEPORTATIONS! PICKET YOUR LOCAL DHSS conferences. We are in danger that undemocratic practices will deprive the rank and file of hard-won gains but these same practices will also kring discredit to the whole working class movement.
The right wing will organise behind closed doors to formulate and hatch their plans and conspiracies. Our conference must fully discuss and decide if possible a policy that will make trade union voting more open and accountable to the ranks. Just as important, we must ensure that a wedge is not driven between the Constituency Labour Parties and the unions because of the recent disappointments.
On the agenda will also be a discussion on the need for a real drive for workplace Labour Party branches. Could you please give the • conference publicity and inform me of the number of credentials you will need"
PHIL HOLT JOCK McPHERSON QUINN 108 Prince's Boulevard, Bebington, Merseyside L63 7PE [051 645 1375].