TO NO-ONE's great surprise, editorial the week before polling.
mean the election respectable alternative opposition'.
dog The Economist fears?
Benn's "left" credentials were gained in Labour's last period of opposition, when he:
the workers against Heath's lame duck policy:
*addressed Institute Workers Control conferences announcing that the crisis that we inherit when we come to power will be the occasion for fundamental change and not the excuse for postponing it*;
*promoted gramme for Britain' in 1973, which included the nationalisation of the top 25 companies, compulsory planning agrocments, and industrial democ racy course Wilson The supported Margaret Thatcher and the Tories in the general election. But it was obviously a difficult decision, only reached at the end of a 4,000-word The problem was, a vote for Tory in 1979 could of a perfectly awful Labour government by 1984 — one far worse than the available today, house-trained party gone rabid in the kennels of Could Tony Benn's return to the back benches, less than a week after Labour's defeat, let loose the mad Callachan slightest Intention of implementing such policies. Just as they rode roughshod over TUC and Labour Party conference UCS decisions the referendum, Clay Cross, cuts in spending. and for other issues.
But Bens remained in the BOYCHECHE throughout this, rooognising his collective responsibility for all decisions taken by the Cabinet since we came to power. He even meekly accepled the sack as Minister for Industry after the gutting of his own Industry Bill.
Benn has identified bimself democracy', but also with and freedom of Economist abolition of the House Lords, and reform Labour Party itself. Through position on the Labour NEC he has appeared as the defender of party policy in government.
Yet on every issue it was Cabinet policy precedence over party policy. Benn never resigned.
Even when fellow Labour left Eric Heffer was sacked for opposing the EBC, remained.
Three junior members of the government than stomach increased parlia had the mentary representation for the Ulster Unionists. Benn mained.
H Block, the Hennett report Owen's support for the Shah of EBC Tran, over many slashed... Benn remained.
Harold Wilson's resignation increased all charges in 1951 seems ultra-left "full extremism by comparison.
Benn's statement declining nomination Cabinet called on Labour MPs to discuss how to mount a prim in Parliament toppe sition in Parliament to policies and philosophy of tbe new government in so tar as these policies harm the interests of the people whom Labour information, represents.
ALTERNATIVE POLICIES DON'T GROW ON of of the sents'.
that took didn' struck and Benn miners resigned rather Heath's incomes policy the Tories.
million social spending such mass action again. prescription Велл the past five years.
for the Shadow wasn't including for Thatcher.
fight leadershsp It is not surprising that this has aroused cynicism even from sone Labour MPs after the Labour government srecord of "harm to the interests of the people whom Labour repre'Opposition in Parliament' defeat the Tory government in 1974. It was the Europe. hundreds of thousands who demonstrated against the Industrial Relations Act. The workers who occupied relegated and fought for their jobs, The who barcled against It was the mass struggle of the working class that defeated The Economist's fear is not of a rabid Benn. Hemight loam at the mouth, but be doesn't bite. The fear is thar Benn's left to China rhetonic might infect sections of the working class into taking has called for no personal recriminations about But the Labour leadership elected to attack working class living standards. dor to China. Callaghan and his supporters, Cabinet member Tony Benn, have paved the way The next period will require a an alternative alongside слеstruggle for alternative policies. Hexham. In 1973 Rippon, then Minister for the Environment, to be • likely successor to Heath if the latter the looming Bur suddenly Rippon's star any began to fade, and today he is safcly far away as the leader of the Conservative Group in the European Pariament. But now even that sinecure is to go, for Rippon is not standing for oh why has this one-time potential leader of the Tory Party now been finally Westminster's back-benches? And why oh has the media commented on this fall from grace? Do they know something you don't Slow boat Belping hand, News from helping hand, Nowhere has a solution to the Tories' problem— what lo de with Ted Heath. Our recom mendation is that he should be appointed as British ambassTed Is known to get on well with the Chinese buressericy, and the importance of a posting to that country is explained in a leaflet currently being circoInded by the Workers Institute of Marxism-Leninism-Mao Zeđong Thought. TREES. DONATE NOW Irish CEPHONIY the fastest growing in Europe Such remarks are unlikely to picase Thatcher or make her attempts to attract investment into tottering Hritish industry casier. But Saatchi and Saatchi cannot be blamed: isn't healthy competition Thaicher's revolution is all about?
Hell Thatcher!
NATIONAL Froat greets Tor victors! Not, in this Instanci our own home grown Nazis but the Freach Front National. Jeun-Marie Le Pen the President of the FN. which tends to be rather more open about its fuscist sympathies, made this declaration on the British election result:
With the success of the English Conservative Party and ils leuder, Mrs Thatcher, 1 greet the first success of the right in Europe for a long time, over pauperising secialism.
With a similar programme Lan end immigration, redeced taxes, an end to the trade union dictatorship struggle Soviet Union, the relunching of investment. the of thi national right will have comparable SAleCESS in the European elections."
Sociulise Challenge 17 May 1979 pogr