The Cost of a Bad Foreign Policy

[p024] : THE COST OF A BAD FOREIGN POLICY We have spoken so sharply about what is wrong with _ the N.E.C. statement because foreign policy involves more _ than our relations abroad. This is a life-and-death matter to every citizen because upon it hinges the fate of peace or war. It is no less a bread-and-butter question that affects every household today. The huge arms-budget has already brought higher prices — for food ond fares and reduced rations from the Tory > ‘government. Military services get priority over social ser- _ ‘vices and new bombers over new houses. . 21

[p025] U.S. stockpiling for rearmament has shoved up world prices for raw materials so that British manufacturers cannot hold their own with foreign competition except by slashing the real wages of the industrial workers and speeding them up. Mr. Butler and the Bosses resist the wage-claims of the unions under pretext that the export-drive and the bal- ance of payments cannot be upset. a ‘The Cold War and American legislation restricts East- . West trade and prevents textile and other industries from _ finding new markets. Finally, our youngsters continue to ‘be conscripted to fight in Malaya and Korea and are groomed for slaughter in the projected war. The British working class is already paying for the small wars going on and the big one in view. And they know _ from sad experience they will be called upon for still heavier sacrifices if a third war breaks loose. - If the opinion of our working people was polled, we are convinced they would agree that the price of the alli- ~ ance with U.S. imperialism which forms the keystone of _ “Labour’s Foreign Policy” is far too high—and is all at . their expense. It is time to change this line and take a new course.