LETTERS We have received a number of letters on the related subjects of the by-elections and the International Socialists' project of launching the Socialist Workers Party - too many for us to print all of them this week. We will publish more in future issues together with a full reply. Meanwhile we invite further correspondence on these points.
class base that ine ¡neoretical important class struggle (to LiKewise. Ine statedy an alliance of Cold suc non-party •AS official candidate.
lose ine aready Since I have been quoted in the last issue of your paper with reTerence to me cection campaien in NewcastIe. I WOUId HAG tO be given the opportunity to make my position absolutely clear Firstly, it is true that I spoke at the meeting you mention in support of the IMG call for an open and democratic campaign. Central to this idea was that individuals and groups who are not allied to the IS should be able to support the SW candidate on to make it plain what exactly I saw (and still see) to be the It is quite clear to me from reading Red Weekly that I have little in common with your position. For a start I think that the IS has been entirely correct in putting forward SW candidates There is no basis in this country for the tactic recently used in Italy of the revolutionary electoral alliance. If it were the case that we had three revolutionary groups of the size and with the it might be otherwise. In reality, though, in Britain only the IS is in this position.
In Tyneside, to choose the relevant example, not only is the is some tive times oiccer inan me ma burn is me ony eroue to have any semblance of a genuine, solid working class and industrial base. Of course, what has to be added here also is titterences between mel and numerous orthodox Trotskyist groups such as the IMG would make any attempted alliance doubly impractical - the really use vour tem issues or une campaign would just become hidden under sectarian in-fighting over many time worn issues (open the books, etc., etc.)
your paper seems to have been backing perhaps more forcefully, of forming a campaign around various committees within the movement, unrealistic and theoretically nonsensical. The Cuts and Right t Work Committees on Tyneside, for example, were set by a trade union body, (the Trades Council conference) to fight over parti000 ES oSasiTOus them to take part in an election campaign backing either a party candidate or their own 'class struggle' candidate against other party candidates — including more than likely the Labour Party This would, apart from anything else, slender support for these • committees from numerous individuals, groups and trade union bodies wne either already had strong party affiliations or who were only prepared to support the committees on tner one issue responsi Ine correct election strategy then, i would say, is for the IS te put up SW candidates in an attempt to start the process of of which Is of course will be a major part but which will, noperuly, draw in many otner mitants and ever Issue or openness ano democracv comes in on a principled basis.
De one MaTTerS part to yvut candidates is transiateo into action CLOT camparous fight would use tnerr aIms Ryan — the united front from below. grouplets. The way in which it should do this has so far, would maintain, left much to be desired. This is where the To achieve its aim, IS has to involve in future campaigns other Individuals and groups well in advance in the choosing of the candidate me detals or nis ner local ano national oroorammi and the actual practical details of how the campaign is to be run. The campaigns have to be run primarily under IS directior candidate on their own terms if, as will be inevitable, agreement cannot be reached on issues of the programme, etc. This has to IMG members should, for examole Tee tree to nane ou-earers suoooruno une caneleare while outlining their own amendments to his/her programme etc., if they are prepared to join with the IS in other practica The choice is in your hands. We are in a position, whether you like it or not, to work towards the SWP. Unlike your claims We sce us nor as a matter or subsututine barty ourome 10 furthering the class struggle, but as contributing a vital element to the latter. You should be welcome to join in this process in a principled manner and on your own terms. Failings in the IS to provide open campaigns nave to be altered boin by action or the part of IS members as well as by the practical willingnes that your avowed support for su Unfortunately, it proved to be the case that in Newcastle this this can only make the task of those of us arguing for greater openness more difficult. What is the point, the understandable reply will be, or opening up our campaig we, it hot ottructive, than pry pasty supporterse 10 if not obstructive, then only paper supporters • We agree with Bill Collins that to commit bodies like cuts committees, the Working Women's Charter etc. to supporting a particular party candidate would be sectarian torry. our we nave we pointed out the need to reach the widest number or workers with me messace to organise against the policies of the Labour Government. This would mean those in the elections to raise their . It would also mean that candidates pledged to that election campaign SUCH However the IS in practice has fought for neither of these two choosine instead to suboronate mem to burraine int Socialist Workers Party on the political basis indicated by Geoff
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on this matter correct sort of campaign.
never took place - is COLLINS (Secretary, Durham IS].
In the by-elections bodies themselves intervening