In the debate inside the Labour Party on the EEC Wilson possesses the real support of only a minority of Labour MPs-although naturally these are backed up by practically the whole of the capitalist class. Against Wilson are the majority of MPs, the coming vote at the Labour Party conference, the Labour Party Young Socialists, the Co-operative Party and the TUC. But Wilson has been running rings round these apparently formidable forces. He has sacked Heffer, gagged the antiMarket ministers in Parliament, and stopped the Labour Party NEC from using the Party's resources in the campaign against the Market.
The reasons why the Labour left cannot wage a real fight against Wilson and Healey are very clear. As long as Britain retains a capitalist economy then British industry needs the Common Market-not just because it provides a bigger market for British goods, but even more importantly, because it has to merge with the continental multinationals if it is to have any chance of staying alive in a world of increasing competition.
Staying in Europe is of course only one part of Wilson and capitalism's overall plan to rescue British industry. British capitalişm cannot be effective in Europe unless industry at home is made more competitive. This means boosting production and cutting costs. Working class living standards will have to go down. Unemploy ment and the workload will have to go up.