According to the press and many people on the Labour left, the Labour Party Conference is going to witness the most dramatic clash between the left and right for years.
Dissatisfaction with the Wilson Government's policies is leading to the use of strong words. Judith Hart says: 'We are to face a devastating fall in the real standards of living for most workers, massive unemployment, and the draconian cuts in public expenditure which have been under discussion since early June. I spoke of a historic catastrophe facing the labour movement. You will understand what I was talking about.' Judith Hart's words - like those of Benn, when he said that the crisis inherited by the Labour Government should be the occasion for fundamental change rather than the excuse for postponing it — correctly identify the problems facing the Labour Party Conference and the workers' movement in general.
When it comes to alternatives as opposed to diagnoses, however, the flefts' are not so good. As the workers increasingly feel the effects of the Government's anti-working class policies, a massive revolt against Wilson will build up. This revolt will not simply be restricted to the Healey measures, but will tend to take up every aspect of the Government's role. The question, therefore, is how to organise this growing opposition in such a way that Wilson is defeated, his policies are rejected, and the fight for socialism strengthened.
The fight of the reformist lefts' would hardly frighten a mouse. They have no alternative policies. on how to mobilise working class opposition against the Government's policies. Thirty-six Labour MPs voted against Healey's measures, and two Ministers walked out of the Government. One third of the votes at the TUC were cast against the measures. These actions are to be welcomed. certainly go nothing like far enough, and are often used by the reformists as diversions from the decisive struggles.
After their initial vote against the £6 norm, the hard-core Tribunites have failed to give open support to a single strike against the Healey pay laws. At least Scargill and McGahey - whatever their other failings spoke out against the £6 norm in the Mineworkers ballot and campaigned within the membership to get it rejected. The Tribune MPs remained silent and took no part in that campaign. Nor have they any suggestions kingdoms.
But they JENKINS - OUT!
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support amongst the rank and file for the removal of the right-wing union leaders, he allowed them to have their own way in 'their ?
instead of extending the offensive, the TUC meekly went and negotiated with the Tories thereby demobilising the working class wher everything was in its favour.
Later the Tories felt strong enough to impose Phases 1, 2, and 3 of their incomes poli - they were able to inflict some savage defe on groups like the hospital workers, and eve to reduce working class living standards. It was not until two years after those initial vic tories that the miners once again imposed th decisive defeat on the Tories which drove th from office.