groups.
and functions in detail.
Socialist Challenge was launched by the International Marxist Group on the basis of two policies unified revolutionary organisation, and for a class struggle left wing. What progress do you think has been made in these areas.
this goal in the way the paper is organised both on a local and national level.
For example, the National Policy Committee which oversees the paper's general direction — the IMG, the International Socialist Alliance, an observer Flame, as well as revolutionaries.
Socialist Cnallenge groups promoted in line with these policies. We hope that revolutionaries working together in them can overcome in practice and through clear debate the sectarianism which has splintered the 1C101 0001- - often on quite secondary questions.
Today comrades from the IMG, the ISA, Big Flame and a number of non-aligned militants are discussing how to take revolutionary unity one step further.
The ISA -InG proposing that if we can clarify the areas where inere is broad general agreement, then we should engage in systematic joint work coupled with an organised discussion on areas where The aim of this collaboration would be to work towards a common revolutionary organisation.
respect to the fundamental policy Socialist Challenge was launched — for a class struggle left wing - I think there have been similar developments.
The most recent example of how the paper has been able to promote a real fighting opposition has been with its coverage on rord's, which most comrades agree has been first rate.
Through its support for the Ford Workers" Group, the paper has been TWO WEEKS AGO the organiser of the Preston Socialist Steve Rose, number of points about the role and development of supporters Similar queries have come from other readers. So we decided to ask DODIE WEPPLER, the member of the Editorial Board responsible for liaising with these groups, to explain their aims able to show industry-wide basis for a left wing.
The UNTO HISES.
involves Big independent al C initiatives like Socialist Centres?
office there are large militants who TOI and the Communist Party IMG arc Centres have been establish policies other WHICH ding and commitment. postive policies. wrote to the paper raising a within action.
concretely - on an - how to take forward the fight for a class struggle Socialist Challenge Trade union conterence in July snowed SIFULLIC that the need for a political approach To ne Coss wHen Cus across Sector has a ready response amongst trade whole.
We want to follow this up with another conterence in the spring. well as a number of day schools for group! trade unionists on topics such as health and safety, alternative products, and Many of these militants aren't yet convinced of the project of a united revolutionary organisation but see the move need for an alternative to Labour's policies. Can you explain a bit more how vou see sC groups in relation to Socialist Unity think we should nave a toran flexible approach to membership in With Labour in num Ders are looking for an alternative to both the Labour Party we actively support all erroris ic bring together class struggle militants - and Socialist Unity and Socialist LWU ways of starting to do this. But to give these movements a direction we also need to La current witnin inem putting forward clear revolutionary of all the important questions facing Open discussion in the SC groups ries to ine working class arune Dresent me Is one very importapt way in which we But presumably the role of SC groups goes further than discussion forums?
Absolutely. Our fundamental aim is to organise supporters of the paper's differences among revolutionaries are Tuneamen as handled framework of general political agreement, is through joint So we hope to see SC groups more systematically around events like the Ford strike. Every group should be discussing how to go out and win support for the strike, distributing the material from the Ford Workers Group, and so on.
think that this action-oriented approach towards a whole number of and campaigns can really help to lift the groups and make them into a pole of attraction on the left as a This also applies to other activities. For instance, sales of the paper itself should be pretty important for the After all, when someone who's been coming to meeungs agrees to take part in paper sales, that's an in their political development and commitment.
We have to encourage them to towards that level identification with the paper means discussing it openly in The same holds true fund-raising. This not only helps to keep the paper afloat but can also help to finance your own activities cost of a room, mailings, are so On What's more, fund-raising is very often fun, and helps people in the group to get to know each other in a more relaxed way lhan is possible a HICCUTES This needs quite a lot of organisation!
Yes. That's why we're in favour of the groups electing a steering committee wnien can discuss proposais on all these questions and bring them to the meetings.
particularly important encourage non-angnca revorona go on to these committees. That's the only wav groups will be able to develop their own independent identity With all this stress on SC groups, does this mean that you think regroupment will primarily take place in this way?
If comrades from different political traditions are consistently organising together in local SC groups this can only ald the process or regroupment - which the for the Birmingham last year to But would be regroupment occurring through any rigia schema The only guidelines should be to promote any structures which allow revolutionaries to overcome sectariaand work organised fashion, on a principled political basis.
On the other hand, quite different structures may well campaign of joint discussed by the ISA, the IMG, Comrades interested campaign may feel that the SC group coordinate their joint work. But if is me oovou shouldn't let this stand in the way of You are a Political Committee explain the exact relationship IMG sees between itself and the SC groups?
Well, as l've said, the main point the IMG wants to stress is that these groups must be determining their own direction and activities within the broad politica framework encompassed paphere is no question that we see these groups organisations equally al t independents decide to join the IMG!
We think that the more people who can be won to organised force, the greater are our chances of project to a conclusion in terms of a very wide regroupment.
But recruitment to the IMG is not in any way a substitute for this much wider process What have been the main difficulties groups have come up against?
consistently the scope of the support which exists for the paper. And so we haven't set our sights as high as we might have SOCIALIST Challenge supporter leaflets for Socialist Unity in mad to •SCO done the SC groups their own. an HOLS evolve if meetings. being WOTK , Big this help There, The topics obvious member of the IMG's can you the 3 OT CEnt Conference;
autonomous.
Marxist theory by the SCCIS LO simply MG.
periphers who are But politics. pleased when the IMG as ar pushing through this successful political getting it in *What do seem to underestimate to place more emphasis on helping out when the paper was first launched. They swam or sank on Now we are beginning to organise regional meetings of group conveal C encouraged to be involved in these WIS WOU OU SCE AS HIC STILE meeting of a group?
democratically elected should draw up programme of educationals, around both fundamental questions and action-oriented topics this period are workers in struggle to discuss how revolutionaries can organise broad support locally; meetings to mobilise NAC Trade Union the Prisoners Aid Committee demonstration; and other national and international initiatives promoted by the paper But the group may also wish to discuss more fundamental aspects of - the nature of the state, Eastern Europe, and so on. A combination of both sorts of topic attract and hold both experienced militants and comrades newer to revolutionary In addition to the educational part of the meeting, the group should have a regular business item including: distribunon or papers of at least one collective mass sale (street or estate sales); the sub drive; promotion of the paper (fly-posting Smith or loca newsagents); fund-raising events.
Finally, as well as selling the paper, all comrades should be encouraged to show their commitment to the paper by making a small, regular donation preferably through a bankers order. In some groups the norm is fl per month per supporter you think? The NICA of th National Polic Committee on 19 November will be this question, and we would like to be able to draw on as much local experience as possible.
Socialist Challenge 9 November 1978 Page 13
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policies in an active fight for those oCtalist Challenge EILECTER The only real test of whether
Flame and independents gets off the ground.
-EL TRE SOCIALIST CHALLENGE The Editorial Board was wrong not