(Some weets ago the national secretary of the Socialist Labour League, Gerry Healy, had some discussions with leading members of the United Secretariat of the Fourth International. Since then the SLL organ, WORKERS PRESS, has published a report on the subject, For the benefit of comrades we publish belote a statement on the subi cet issued by the United Secretariat.
We mould also draw to the attention of readers a new pamphlet which the British section of the Fourth International, IMG, has recently brought out. This explains in some detail the political and methodological differences retween the two organisations. The pamphlet, THE CREDIBILITY GAP-The Politics of the SLL, is available for 5/- from RED BOOKS, 182 Pentonville Road, London N.1)
Healy's Request to Discuss Unification Possibilities At the end of April, Gerry Healy, the national secretary of the Socialist Labour League, asked to talk with Pierre Frank, a meiber of the United Secretariat of the Fourth International.
in the following weeks, two conversations were held which included other members of the two organisations.
Comrade Healy raised the question of organising a mutual discussion that might open the way to the Socialist Labour League and its French sister organisation, the Organisation Trotskyiste, unifying with the Fourth International.
It should be noted that this move by ComThe pompous proceedings began with all standing for une sovernors and esomaster wno hied cown une centre aisle on which was a deep red carpet which was very worn. Heavenly music was played over an organ tor atmosphere. Two closed-circuit TV cameras were in operation tor those inside the smaller hall. The Headmaster opened with the usual tripe about the school's academic and sports achevement which oui Daubuner uau au Due ouitou or Daunole A1001an attack against the previous government's attempt to compel the local authorities to go comprehensive which he described as dictatorial and "monolithic" ne nao nign praise Tor rs. natcner and tory poncy on education and said it was sad that ILEA was withdrawing scholarships for twenty-five places which would make the school go private uniess Mrs. Thatche: came to the rescue. It was when he made the remark that private schools offer a better quality education Strike. The broadsheet on Treland has been completely sold out and we have had to reprint the Docks broadsheet. These broadsheets have enabled activist comrades to intervene fairly successfully in the struggles concerned and even after we resume our fortnightly schedule we will continue to produce them whenever the need arises. We apologise to those of our subscribers who did not receive the Trade Healy stands in strong contrast with the sanderous attacks that have constantly appeared in the press of the SLL and the O.T. against outstanding figures of the Fourth International, with the systematic refusal to engage in common actions in Britain and France, even in defending victims of repression by imperialism or Stalinism, and with the claim reorganisin "the Fourth International. In addition to this, it should be noted that O.T. have not modified the very sharp a whole series of political issues the SLL and differences they have expressed for years in pposition to the Fourth International Inder these circumstances, unification is no a realistic perspective. that our action started.
One of our group jumped to his feet and shouted: "Rubbish! Comprehensives provide a much better education." (He ought to know-he goes to a public bers inside and outside the Great Hall to start leafleting and making speeches. "Ah!" said the Headmaster, 'The Schools Action Union, 1 believe, " keeping his cool, some applause trom boys. Flook three quick hotos in a very bad light while stewards includin wo women bouncers dragged our members out. Tw men crabbed me and started to pull me towards the nanes ano Dulee ouT pad and pencil, protesting (Co-op photo agency, actually) *I shall make a complaint to the Press Council.(1) What's your name? to one of the men. The poor tool responded: nobert son... Robertson." I found out later that he was head eurlier broadsheets and assure them that there will not be a repetition of this.
The number of Red Circles, too, is on the increase and some militants actively engaged in the Irish struggle are in the process of setting up an Irish Red Circle.
Those interested should write for more details.
In the coming autumn we will be starting a series of educational classes at the centre ( 182, Pentonville Road, N.1) on The Fourth International is, of course, in favour of unifying revolutionary forces wherever possible on a principled basis. We are therefore pre 0.1. untrying with the Roesth Interne snal prepared to re-examine the Il objective evidence should show that this is feasible.
The SCL and O.T. might well begin this process by beginning to discuss their political and theoretical differences with us in a frank and comradely way, without the use of slander or falsifying the positions we hold, and by beginning to engage in common actions on such elementary questions as the defence of victims of the class struggle. of the school's military corps We heard from our comrades inside that a black maria arrived just after we had left. The Speech Day proceedings, boring as usual, went on as planned, but we had made an impact because everyone present was talking about us afterwards. We are hoping for new was not well-attended, possibly partly due to the Irish civil rights march demanding the release of Bernadette Devlin (SAU have written a letter of support to her agent) and also to the fact that it was a hot summer's day. I feel that the action we pulled off at St. Dunstan Junstan's is far more important than a marct and expect that the idea will be taken up by SAU in othe parts of London and throughout Britain.
From: Press Officer, SAU, London Region 13 Wood Ride, Orpinaton, Kent, BR5 basic and not-so-basic Marxist theory These classes will be open to all members of Red Circles and the members of the Spartacus League: for other comrades there will be a small charge so as to enable us to meet the costs incurred in setting this up. A detailed list of discussions is in the process of being prepared and will be published in the next issue of The Red Mole.