Star greets reject

Socialist Organiser no. 119, 10 February 1983 · scan p. 2 · about 255 words

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WHATEVER else the SDP might fail to do, it did look when it was set up as if it could at least do one job efficiently — provide a safe berth for discredited Labour MPs fleeing re-selection.

But in Islington there just aren't enough berths to go round. After the Boundary Commission. report implemented, there will be only two constituences in the borough _ and three sitting SDP MPs.

Michael O'Halloran, MP for Islington North, is certain to be the one squeezed out. He was' selected as Labour candidate only after highly dubious manoeuvres, and the high point of his career since then was as the only MP simultaneously to sign both pro- and anti-EEC statements.

Now O'Halloran wants to go back to the Labour Party. For left-wing activists this news is about as welcome as Al Capone returning to ask for his Party card back.

ut if.•'Haloran nas ter renos in the abour rar or in the SDP, still someone has a soft spot for him.

The Communist Party paper, the Morning Star, on February 4 said: "His return to the Labour Party would be of limited [!] advantage, although he would nevertheless be welcome... one or two other SDP MPs might be considering reverse defection, which would be a heavy political blow for the SDP and a boost for Labour...

Islington North Labour councillor Pat Longman told us: "If the CP values chese SDP renegades so highly, then I would suggest they take them in themselves rather than wishing them on us"