Tribune Opens Discussion on Labour Defeat

THE first post mortem by the Left on why Labour lost the election revealed two separate trends. First we had aspiring young opportunists, such as Gordon Richards, anxious to avoid any serious discussion by calling on the Left to prepare to get power at the next election. Their view is very much that of Douglas Jay. It is to the effect that capitalism is going to provide a rising standard of living and that the thing to do is to unite on a programme of wishy washy reformism and not to worry about. outworn doctrines like the extension of nationalization.

_In the centre we had people like Michael Foot, who basically repudiate Right-wing reformism and Stalinism, but who are not yet prepared to fight around a concrete programme of demands in association with the Socialist Labour League.

It became clear in the course of the meeting that the formation of the Socialist Labour League, in anticipation of this discussion was absolutely justified. It became clear also from the attendance at the meeting that there is the possibility of ‘developing a very big Left movement in the Labour Party.

Discussion without decision dangers What is also obvious is that reformists of the open variety, like Richards, and concealed types like the Stalinist, Monty Johnstone, will try to unite to prevent the Marxist movement from securing the leadership of the Left. Their strategy is to avoid as far as possible any discussion on a programme which involves action by the working class.

The Stalinist discussion conference in January is being so organized that no decisions can be taken and those who attend are not tied to anything. This type of conference is the dream of every Left faker. Coupled with mild criticisms of the Right, he can speak vaguely about the need for more socialism. He can ignore the real struggles that are going on and avoid any responsibility for waging a struggle with the working class now. At the same time he can head off the Left-wing movement and prevent it from laying a basis for a mass working-class party that will take power.

Rank-and-file delegates from trade unions must be brought into the discussions Last Thursday’s Tribune meeting provided a demonstration , of the power of attraction of the programme of the Socialist Labour League. In the course of the discussion, the League

was able to make its position as a political organization quite clear, and this was warmly applauded by at least 75 per cent. of the audience.

There is, however, a considerable amount of work to do if Marxists are to influence the leadership of this Left movement. In the course of our struggle we need to bring into the discussion, delegates from trade union branches, and jobs, armed with our programme for struggle.

One of the biggest weaknesses in the Tribune meeting was the absence of rank-and-file delegates from -trade union branches and industry. This meant that the real issues facing the working class; the sack, wages, etc. were absent from many of the contributions.

It also revealed the tragic weakness of this type of Left movement which does not consciously work to bring the working class and left intellectuals together to fight the Right. Such unity can destroy the Right. Only the Socialist Labour. League by uniting its work in industry with the struggle in the Labour Party can cement this unity.

Michael Foot sums up All Marxists will welcome the statement of Hugh Jenkins _ that Victory for Socialism felt that ‘the Left in the Labour Party must unite to fight the efficient and brutal machine of the Right’.

-Michael Foot, in his summing up, said that the Labour Party is undemocratic and that one of the tasks of the Left is to change that. He defended the right of the working class to take strike action. He stated that VFS is ready to work with all other Left organizations. He said that there were going to be battles on the industrial front.

We have to change the Labour Party and ‘make a frontal challenge to the society in which we live.’

PETER FRYER explains the programme and organization of the Socialist Labour League. Read:

THE BATTLE FOR SOCIALISM