Workers Press no. 33

INCORPORATING THE NEWSLETTER • PUBLISHED FROM TUESDAY TO SA TURDAY • NUMBER 33 • WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1969 Big U.S. aircraft competition grows

OBSOLETE BY 1972?

INCORPORATING THE NEWSLETTER •

What see think THE 'MORNING STAR' gave its readers the following The £100 Isaac news on Monday, November I1: Deutscher Memorial Prize for 1969 has been awarded to Martin Nicolaus for his two essays "Proletariat and Middle Class in Marx" and "The Unknown Marx".

• Next year's prize of £100 will be awarded in Autumn 1970 for a work of Marxist scholarship. ...

Jury members for this year's prize were Perry Deutscher, Anderson, E. H. Carr, Tamara Eric said about Monty Johnstone the jury, deserves special and immediate attention. On what basis does he participate in the work of a committee whose job it is to objectively evaluate the Marxist scholarship of others ? Johnstone is without a shadow of a doubt amongst the worst and most unprincipled enemies of Marxism in the British Communist Party today. His record speaks for itself.

According to the Young Communist League journal 'Challenge' 1954, Joined of May Johnstone the YCL in 1941. Without, it seems, severing his links with that organization, he then joined the Trotskyist Revolutionary Communist Party in 1945, and left it in 1946 to openly rejoin the YCL.

The same number of "Challenge' then outlines Johnstone's

YCL

to his appointment as editor of "Challenge' in May 1954 the career in 'Since then he has held quite a number of responsible positions in the These include being full-time district movement. organizer of the Young Communist League in the Midland: of the National Student Committee of the chairman Communist Party and YCL National Education Officer'.

Today Johnstone is acquiring a reputation amongst the revision- the spokesman and ists and in the capitalist press as of anti-Stalinist trend within the theoretician a new, British Communist Party. on the basis of his 'anti-Stalinist' credentials, It is presumably awarded by both the 'Sunday Times' (April 13, 1969) and by Bob Purdie of the International Marxist Group, that the Johstone has maintained his position on Isaac Deutscher Memorial Prize jury.

We should point out that Johnstone has not always been so his condemnations of the crimes of Stalinism, free with a position he now adopts without in any way attacking the political line of Stalin which led directly to these As a frequent contributor to 'Challenge' (the YCL paper) Johnstone write several important was called upon to articles, YCL obituary Stalin and the including the justification for the 1952 Slansky trial in Czechoslovakia. illusio the death of Stalin in This what "Joinstone wrote on 'Challenge' of March 14, 1953: In the passing of J. V. Stalin the working people of the whole world have suffered an irreparable loss.

• No man in our times has done so much as Stalin to change the course world history through the inestimable leadership and of given the oppressed of the world help he has in their struggle for freedom and .. For 30 years a happier life. stalin led the Soviet people from victory to victory in the face of the most terrible obstacles so that it is today well on the road to communism.

example to every young socialist of courage, 'His life is an the combination of study tenacity, faith in the people, and passing we can say, as Engels said of Marx's death exactly action, constant devotion to principle.

"Mankind the is shorter by ahead. greatest head of our times at that. His name and work will endure through the ages"!

very familiar with who was and is That is how Johnstone, Trotsky's writings, knowing every word of this revolting death of the 'tribute' to be lie, commemorated the grave-digger of the Bolshevik Party.

he is loud in As part of Johnstone's present 'anti-Stalinism', his condemnation of the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia.

(This opposition, it must be stressed, has nothing to do with a revolutionary struggle against Stalinism.)

Today, Johnstone defends Dubcek and condemns the crimes of the Novotny era. But this is what he wrote at the time of the 1952 Slansky trial, when 14 innocent members of the Czech Communist Party were framed and executed by the Stalinist bureaucracy: 'Slansky, former general secretary of the Czech CP, and 13 of spying and sabotage for were found guilty associates the US and its satellites. Many were shown to have acted the labour movement since the pre-war days.

as spies in "These people unwillingly confessed their crimes in the face of documents and irrefutable of fact, the testimony ... Such activities can and must evidence of witnesses. be rooted out in this as in other countries wherever this place; through workers the the vigilance of the takes movement is rendered stronger and healthier' ('Challenge', January 10, 1953.) Despite Johnstone's repeated claims to the contrary, he has responsibility for publicly acknowledge political never defending the crimes of Stalinism in the Soviet Union and eastern Europe. Yet all the time he knew, from the basic training he received whilst a member of the Trotskyist movement from 1945 to 1946, that the Moscow Trials were all frame-ups and that 1948 Europe after were counterparts in eastern their equally fraudulent and reactionary.

On what political basis does Johnstone therefore function as Prize Jury? Who does a member of the Deutscher Johnstone really represent-the British Communist Party?

except Johnstone himself. His whole Nobody really knows, political past, especially that part of it spent as a member of the British section of the Fourth International, is full of unanswered questions and uncertainties.

Did Johnstone break from Stalinism when he joined the RCP in 1945? And if so, why did he return to Stalinism in 19467 factors and historical events What political him to Trotskyism one year and back to attracted Stalinism the next? These questions are very important and involve much more than the workings of the Deutscher Prize Jury. Johnstone is without doubt a key man both for the various revisionist the Stalinist leadership of the British and groups Communist Party. Monty Johnstone, by virtue of his record in the Trotskyist is better equipped to form a link with pro- movement, Stalinist revisionists such as Bob Purdie of the International any other member of the Marxist Group (IMG) than British CP. The Ersy Deft fontacts were taber the doors it of operay published Anderson (another member of the Jury) article by Johnstone (January-February 1967) defending "liberal' and essentially opportunist Stalinism from a position. In this article, Johnstone attacked the ultra-left 'Third Period' Stalinism of 1929-1933, but defended its right-wing policies followed at all other times.

He then returned to the 'Review' (July-August 1968) to defend Stalinism again—this time its theory of 'socialism in one country. The political collaboration of Johnstone and Anderson in the became a springboard for even New Left Review' soon greater things. Intervening on the side of the Stalinists in the dispute between YCL on the conditions for a the Young Socialists and the 'Trotskyism and Stalinism' (brought the theme debate on about by Johnstone's 'Cogito' article attacking Trotskyism) of the IMG seized on Johnstone as a new Bob Purdie type of CP member who could of become a leader the

• PAGE 4 COL. 8 →

The daily organ of the Central Committee of the Socialist. Labour League PUBLISHED FROM TUESDAY TO SA TURDAY • NUMBER 33 • WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1969 PRICE Bd.

A.T.U.A:

meetings

OLLERTON (NOTTS)

'Lessons of the miners' strike' Saturday, November 15 1 p.m. Hop Pole Hotel Two Yorkakere miners Report back from the Motor workers Conference' Sunday, November 16

BY A SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

GREET

President

THE

DECISION

of Nixon on We're telling, not asking, you to October 23 to give the go-ahead for a United States supersonic transport aircraft

(SST)

end the action- threatens aircraft workers in Britain with big at two public meetings redundancies. At the time of the announcement the British 'Dusty' Miller, London firemen's leader See the film of the first issue being prepared and all capitalist press went out of its way to reassure printed and the film 'Young Socialists, 1969' concerned that the proposed Boeing 2707 would not affect the Concorde programme.

OXFORD

Pat Burgessoncorde sales director the Unis way orward. shows the was reported Friday, November 21, 8 p.m.

Northgate Hall Bane indure with i n St. Michael's Street

GLASGOW

naThe deeme nodater. LONDON FIREMEN may resume normal working tomorrow after rade unions aroun service having refused all duties apart from emergency calls for two-and-a- ramme is now the urger will have been in Sunday, November 23, 7.30 p.m half weeks. Their November 19 strike for a new rent allowance is also Partick Burgh Hal te there ris in jeopardy. builde nr. Merkland Street undergrounc Soviet Firemen also By David Maude report eakers at both meetings will b strong rumours that it is che fire meadership now facing They are in no way MIKE BANDA (Editor of Workers' Press planned to circulate them SHEILA TORRANCE (National Secretary of the competitive? writer with forms demanding the received, The Americans had no such signing of 'no strike' condemns the behavour -illusi pledge. Young Socialists disgust. the rumy res, they could ay But many firemen stubborni

GRAND XMAS

mosting Opponent Tes way. se demoranzed suspenucu on one told Workers Press

BAZAAR

Fire Meer Willie Comilton, ene Brigades Union'. Brigades inee programme, said: arector hat he knows nothing of tate Union leaders were forced Saturday, Nov. 29 said a new leadership no p •We view the Concorde ur cats and tomatres an opponent Canning Town Public Hall doors open 12 noor

MERSEYSIDE

introdu El boch an agreement for a Can von sew kot pantr make comething for our kazaar!

number corde will soutes Solzhenitsyn ine Brigades benion's Help us raise the money for our daily paper- expelled testimony ly and Loat debrigades from union conference Monday ate wn orders from te natond.

TRANSPORT and General Workers' Union stewards have has to night. com the threat US report says de action and action one termer trike the waiters

REJECTED

alroduced up to 197 oncordes decision return terms mis is UC hate hits these actua Massive blow Piece-work WORKERS at Merseyside's

HULL

London almenator returned to work yesterday after Il weeks on strike Icially denied at the rationalition tor lay-oll guarantees and increases in bonus pay.

WANT

bane or went made workers remain second highly By our Industrial reporter suspiciou ive-point plan for endin; i failure t

MORE

the stike it forward at sten to preyed his netiest strike committee

UNION

(NASD)

Monday's 90-minute mass

BLUE

Hull shop stewards meeting docks sent aetter las week to the employers de- wending €35 for a 30-hour bureaueracy presentence roos working classon used to expel him from Phant reged agains Stalin is dead, He pertected ive ana which gramme executive, can of Lord alikes to ta preparing a come bine should ha. o London's Heatgrow di part sacred it unions legal By a Workers Press reporter and the s tract

WEATHER

foot 24 hours from Tuesday of short-hande a reached are end the Trumpuction coven sa dand plant cany bolton Atherly man had the employers issistance ton demanded by th and feir steward 10 a coa.

Board.

Big U.S. aircraft competition grows

OBSOLETE BY 1972?

INCORPORATING THE NEWSLETTER •

THE 'MORNING STAR' gave its readers the following news on Monday, November 11: 'The £100 Isaac Deutscher Memorial Prize for 1969 has been awarded Martin Nicolaus for his two essays "Proletariat to and Middle Class in Marx" and "The Unknown Marx".

• Next year's prize of £100 will be awarded in Autumn 1970 for a work of Marxist scholarship. . ..

members for this year's Perry Jury prize were H. Carr, Deutscher, Eric Anderson, E. Tamara Hobsbawm, Monty Johnstone and Ralph Milliband'.

and record of some or id bee said about though a great deal could bi the political position Monty Johnstone members of the jury, case what basis deserves special and immediate attention.

On does he participate in the work of a committee whose job Marxist it is to objectively evaluate the scholarship others ? Johnstone is without a shadow of a doubt amongst the worst and most unprincipled enemies of Marxism in the British Communist Party today. His record speaks for itself.

According to the Young Communist League journal 'Challenge' of May 1, 1954, severing nis links with that organization, Johnstone YCL in Without, it seems, then joined the he Trotskyist Revolutionary Communist Party in 1945, and left it in 1946 to openly rejoin the YCL.

same number 'Challenge' then Johnstone's The of outlines the YCL to his appointment as editor of career in in May 1954 'Challenge' 'Since then he has held quite a number of responsible positions These in the movement. include being full-time district Young Communist League in the Midlands, organizer of the of the National Student Committee of the chairman Party and YCL National Education Officer'.

Communist Today Johnstone is acquiring a reputation amongst the revision- ists and in the capitalist press the spokesman and anti-Stalinist trend within the theoretician of a new, British Communist Party. It is presumably on the basis of his 'anti-Stalinist' credentials, awarded by both the 'Sunday Times' (April 13, 1969) and ay Bob Purdie of the International Marxist Group, Isaac maintained Johstone Deutscher Memorial Prize jury.

Johnstone has not always been so We should point out that his condemnations of the crimes of Stalinism, free with attacking a position he now adopts without in way any the political line of Stalin which led directly to these crimes. frequent contributor to 'Challenge' (the YCL paper) As a Johnstone was called upon to write several important YCL obituary to and the austication fe 1952 Sansky trial in Czechoslovakia.

what "Jolmstone on the death of Stalin This is wrote 'Challenge' of March 14, 1953 : 'In the passing of J. V. Stalin the working people of the whole world have suffered an irreparable loss.

No man in our times has done so much as Stalin to change the course history through the inestimable leadership of world and oppressed of the world in their given the help he has struggle for freedom and a happier life..

For 30 years talin led the Soviet people from victory to victory in th ace of the most terrible obstacles so that it is today wel on the road to communism..

example to every young socialist of courage, 'His life is an the combination of study faith in the people, tenacity, constant devotion to principle action, On his and passing we can say, as Engels said of Marx's death exactly "Mankind is shorter by a head, and the ago: greatest head of our times at that. His name and work will endure through the ages".

That is how Johnstone, nowing every word of this revolting was and is very familiar with Trotsky's writings, death of the lie, commemorated the 'tribute' to be grave-digger of the Bolshevik Party.

As part of Johnstone's present 'anti-Stalinism', he is loud ir ais condemnation of the Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia (This opposition, it must be stressed, has nothing to do with a revolutionary struggle against Stalinism.)

Today, Johnstone defends Dubcek and condemns the crimes of the Novotny era. But this is what he wrote at the time of the 1952 Siansky trial, when 14 innocent members of the secretary of the Czech CP, and 13 'Slansky, associates were found guilty of spying and sabotage for the US and its satellites. Many were shown to have acted s spies in the labour movement since the pre-war day These people unwillingly confessed their crimes in the face of irrefutable testimony of fact, documents and the the • Such activities can and must evidence of witnesses. . • be rooted out in this as in other countries wherever this workers the the vigilance of the takes place; through movement is rendered stronger and healthier.' ('Challenge', January 10, 1953) Despite Johnstone's repeated claims to the contrary, he has publicly acknowledge political responsibility for never defending the crimes of Stalinism in the Soviet Union and eastern Europe knew, from the basic training he received Yet all the time whilst a member of the Trotskyist movement from 1945 to 1946, that the Moscow Trials were all frame-ups and that Europe after 1948 were their counterparts in eastern equally fraudulent and reactionary.

basis does Johnstone therefore function as On what political Who does Jury? member of Deutscher Prize Johnstone really represent-the British Communist Party?

Nobody except Johnstone himself. His whole really knows, political past, especially that part of it spent as a member of the British section of the International, is full Fourth of unanswered questions and uncertainties.

when he joined the RCP Did Johnstone break from Stalinism 1945? did he return to Stalinism in And if so, why 19467 political factors historical events What and and back attracted him to Trotskyism one year to Stalinism the next? very important and involve much more These questions are workings of the Deutscher Prize Jury. Johnstone than the is without doubt a key man both for the various revisionist leadership Stalinist of the British and the groups Communist Party. by virtue of his record in the Trotskyist Monty Johnstone, better equipped to form a link with pro- movement, is Stalinist revisionists such as Bob Purdie of the International Marxist Group (IMG) than any other member of the British CP. 'be first open contacts were established through the journa •New Perry eft Review', which under the editorship o Anderson (another member of the Jury) published an 1967) defending Johnstone (January-February article by "liberal' and essentially opportunist Stalinism from a position. In this article, Johnstone attacked the ultra-left "Third Period' Stalinism of 1929-1933, but defended its right-wing policies followed at all other times.

He then returned to the 'Review' (July-August 1968) to defend Stalinism arain—this time its theory of 'socialism in one country. The political collaboration of Johnstone and Anderson in the became a springboard for even New Left Review' soon greater things. Intervening on the side of the Stalinists in the dispute between Young Socialists and the YCL on the conditions for "Trotskyism and Stalinism' (brought- debate on the theme about by Johnstone's 'Cogito' article attacking Trotskyism) Bob Purdie of the IMG seized on Johnstone as a new type of CP member who could become a leader of the

• PAGE 4 COL. 8 →

The daily organ of the Central Committee of the Socialist Labour League PUBLISHED FROM TUESDAY TO SA TURDAY • NUMBER 33 • WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12, 1969 PRICE Bd.

A.T.U.A:

mootings

OLLERTON (NOTTS)

'Lessons of the miners' strike' Saturday, November 15 Hop Pole Hotel Two Yorkshire miners 'Report back from the Motor Workers' Conference' Sunday, November 16 10.30 a.m. ttle Sutt

BY A SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

GREET

THE

DECISION of President Nixon We're telling, not asking, you to October 23 to give the go-ahead for a United States aircraft (SST) Suresons end the action- threatens aircraft workers in Britain with big at two public meetings redundancies. At the time of the announcement the British 'Dusty' Miller, London firemen's leader See the film of the first issue being prepared and capitalist press went out of its al Way printed and the film "Young Socialists, 1969' concerned that the proposed Boeing 2707 would not affect the Concorde programme.

OXFORD

Mr Pat Burgess, sales director of the Concorde shows Union. Alliance Friday, November 21, 8 p.m.

DrOTeCt. was reported only way forward saying: aircraft industry must Northgate Hall [Nixon's St. Michael's Street decision asic industries. The developm inde ten

GLASGOW

LONDON FIREMEN may resume normal working tomorrow after the having refused all duties apart from emergency calls for two-and-a- Sunday, November 23, 7.30 p.m half weeks. Their November 19 strike for a new rent allowance is also Partick Burgh Hall time therer By in jeopardy. (nr. Merkland Street underground By David Maude Soviet also Dusty Miller and bondo sneakers at born meetmas will be strong rumours that it is chie shot meadership now facing MIKE BANDA (Editor of Workers" Press) sompetit. They are in to way firemen. planned to circulate them Committee SHEILA TORRANCE (National Secretary of the with forms demanding the i cer Young Socialists) The Americans had no such signing of e no strike' TRUSIOnS. pledge. Young Sooialists it they retuse to sign refuse to be den alized i

GRAND XMAS

the rumours, they could be Opponent suspended. his way the 1 Monday ne told workers rit being programme, said: s nothing of t oft a plan lea forced and tomatoes. 'We view the Concorde flour, eggs Canning Town Public Hall doors open ey reement for a

MERSEYSIDE

Can you sew? knit? paint?

few bob' make something for our Have vou a tin ol grocery? jumble? facin airs at we prospect real Solzaenitsya What 1s Help us make this the best bazaar ever held!

Help us raise the money for our daily paper- by ublished

THE WORKERS' PRESS

given Agency to the 1 Monday. $40 mil- TRANSPORT and General Workers' Union stewards have o light. informed Merseyside's port employers that most of the port's dockers accept their new interim pay offer.

action on November ISnKe Lat ellement 3

REJECTED

up to 19 Concordes Massive blow Piece-work WORKERS at Merseyside's Standard-Triumph plant

HULL

returned to work yesterday after Il weeks on strike as Thiady denied ht th for lay-off guarantees and increases in bonus pay.

Many remain workers By our Industrial reporter for world highly suspicious the five-point plan for ending

MORE

The threat to the Concorde adeqi forward Steps pubished in the West.

present Monday's 90-minute Bions and sackin& chancan suspen mass meeting.

COCKS

sent week to me manding f35 for a 30-hour *hit Five points working class. The five points put to the 'Sell-out' the fight against he perfected live on A beare in distan a return their ballot * Dori Stores to ta- tive continue combine shed hon By a Workers Press roporter

WEATHER

a Mendy ey warded by the authority to : noon 24 hours from Tuesday 'Reached end' • warde the employers lacki old regun as sola Ban he trade bion intervals. nati collision „employee in forem riormal, maxi said mum 9C (48F) General with periods

PRE-CONGRESS DISCUSSION

REVEALS STALINIST CRISIS

PAGE TWO

THE

British Com- munist Party goes into its 31st Congress on November 15 more divided and in deeper crisis than at any previous time in its history. For many Party members, the issue which has provoked the greatest controversy is the continued Kremlin oc- cupation of Czechoslovakia.

Numerous letters for and against the invasion have once appeared in the various ficatic Party periodicals. ship Party roll-call A at the last 'The District Congresses of the Socia Party registered 40 per cent of Sup the local leaderships as being Party in opposition to the present nectic central Party leadership on the Czech question. But like the invasion itself, gar the crisis has a long history

OCC

vak which present events and con- if flicts are dredging slowly to mu the surface. unc Despite the intentions of the

SOC

Stalinist leadership the

SOV

British Communist Party, these stal "Br developments cannot be walled off from an inquiry into the Or great historical inter- and. on national questions, issues that of reach back to Lenin's death ind and the degeneration of the me Bolshevik Party and the Com- In munist International under anti- Stalin's leadership. the c And just as it would be tion : wrong to see the crisis of ignor British Stalinism in national terms, so would it also be a The depen mistake to see the present and stage of the conflict within its all 0 ranks as a power struggle violat between two leadership are g factions. anti-v At the Party's working-class Krem base the membership is being Thi affected in different ways by the h the radicalization of the work- factio ing class, as we have seen it Sid expressed in the movement of Distri the dustmen, motor workers politi and miners. vetera Some workers in the Com- Dutt. munist Party drawn are Thi towards this movement and when struggle to give it leadership.

full v Others, steeped in years of Dutt opportunist collaboration with gaunt the trade union 'left' bureau- pany their crats and shop-floor sloval supporters, stick to the • Stalinist Party line of 'left to unity, leading, as we saw in end the recent miners' strike, to vak a situation where CP miners stood on opposite sides of the wer full picket line. ava We have to place the CP div controversy and possible split this in this living context of the Vie developing class struggle. It is hel this international movement of the class against capitalism Cor that brings CP workers all this over western Europe face to del to face with the treachery of Stalinist policies: aga sup Italy, France — and now put Britain. pre spo And when we turn to Thi examine the political content pre of the current discussion, we ('C see that this conflict with 196 Stalinism does not take a pure form. The confli Far from the most militant scorin rank-and-file workers moving becau in a straight line to Trot- positi skyism, which is, of course, the only Marxist solution to all The the questions which they are steins now raising, many appear to correc the move towards most factio hardened and unrepentent puts spokesmen for Stalinism with- libera in the British Communist Britai Party; the group supported, applai if not led, by R. Palme Dutt, and i who has from the beginning All But adapt his o treads path burea The traine the 9.1 p.n Sar Ho FyI 1.4 2.0 Gollan: Reflects liberal opinion.

res Sch Sin upheld the Kremlin's invasion Wc Na and occupation of Czechoslo- 6. vakia. 6. 7. This development within 7. Stalinism is not new. 8. Maoism, which has defended all Stalin's crimes and purges, still attracts many militant workers all over the world 9. 'peaceful-coexistence'. 10. What such workers support 11. in the Chinese line is not its 11. All lefence of Stalin, but its re.

foll lection of the peaceful road to Mid And this, we shall see, is also the case with the current Nor N split in the British Communist Party. What becomes clear at denti- openly clashes with the cur- rent Party leadership under eader- Gollan, which came into its h the ranks during the long period amme opportunist, right-wing olicies that began with the Popular Front, and with a resent short break during the Stalin- con- Hitler reached right Pact, through to the present. •. re- and Gollan Both Dutt and remain 100 per cent Stalinists.

hoslo- dering Let there be no confusion Com- on that score. mbers Dutt is very careful to ng of separate himself from other cracy, critics of the present Party cialist leadership when he makes it t, the clear that he is not making an lism" 'British Road' attack on the 50-50 by opposing Gollan over ratio Czechoslovakia: would 'Com- '... I believe that our 69) Executive Committee and the Editorial Board of the other tions, ques- even al in- eignty unity, ndeed asion, er the of the , into OscoW ns by Surrey and the Palme ement d by mour, the com- echo- nwise to hoslo- which • the now i deep on osing rongly istrict lowed of the voted from point the [!] of utive. thout arty' 11, The Soviet bureaucracy's reactionary invasi resent es are 'Morning Star' are doing an other outstanding job over SO • false many issues, especially in promoting left unity? ('Com- ment, October 11, 1969. Roth- Our emphasis.) quite Gollan Rank-and-file members, who ubcek for the moment have not been ip of able to separate themselves n in from Dutt's reactionary posi- them tion on Czechoslovakia, have nunist voiced criticisms the 'British Road' and 'left unity' : "British "The present Road to Socialism" has not ollan's been arrived at over years re of of discussion, but is a Dutt qualitatively revised pro- -worn gramme determined at one Soviet Congress after a discussion that never even got off the rship, ground. Smug references to ow in it getting an overwhelming majority at Congress cannot noW ols. 1.25 Hi Ghar irself at rech Chi • Mother. Weather. 1.15 Rep- 1.20 Play 4.55 The 5.15 Wild 6.00-6.45 p.m. Wales Today, Nation.

wide. 6.45-7.10 Heddiw. 11.37 Close.

use. 5.50 down. ather. Scotland: 2.30-2.50 Modern p.m. ride. Studies. 6.00-6.45 Reporting Scotland, Nationwide. Sportsreel. 11.05-11.20 11.37 Epilogue, Scottish News Head- lines. Northern 10.25-10.45 a.m. e. Ireland: Schools. 6.00-6.45 p.m. ws and Scene Around Six, Nationwide, Weather. 11.37 Northern Ireland News Headlines, ing to do Weather. strikes ?: South Today, Broadcast and West News Headines, Westout 11.37 Conserva- : Party. Play:

B.B.C.-2

ales. pt at the 11.00-11.20 a.m. Play School.

7.00 p.m. Expecting a Baby.

: 6.00-6.45 7.30 Newsroom, Weather. East, 8.00 Man Alive. 05-11.55 9.00 What are you going to do our. 11.55 about all these strikes? ple. 1005 9.10 Show of the Week. 11.37 9.55 My World.. and Wel. Wethert. come to It. detract from the fact that it lacks any real support evidenced by the continuing decline in our work and the voting on the Czechoslovak issue.' (Jerry Spring, 'Com- ment', September 27, 1969.)

This is an idea expressed over and over again in letters attacking the leadership of the Party: Gollan equals Dubcek.

Therefore to hit back at Gollan and the ultra-reformist policies he personifies, workers either vote against or abstain on the official Czechoslovak policy. Of course, many such votes were cast because of explicit agreement with the Soviet invasion, though even here the motive with many a was perverted desire to defend the gains of 1948, which they wrongly saw as being under- eactionary invasion of Czechoslovakia last year has cr mined by the break-up of the Novotny leadership. Other sections have their doubts on the invasion, yet cannot bring themselves to vote for the openly oppor- tunist line put forward by Gollan. Here are the seeds of big future conflicts and splits within the Communist Party.

Their future impulse will not only from eastern come Europe, but from the class struggle in Britain. It is at such times as these that the greatest clarity is called for in our analysis of the Stalinist crisis. We must be particularly severe in our condemnation of any tendency which seeks to 10.20 Know Your Onions. 10.40 Doubts and Uncertainties.

11.05 News Summary, Weather.

11.10 Line-up.

I.T.V.

11.00-11.57 a.m. Schools. 1.40 4.15 News 2.55 Schools. p.m. Headlines. 4.17 The Tingha and Tucker • Club. 4.30 Crossroads. 4.55 Lift Off. 5.20 Sexton Blake Versus The Gangsters. 5.50 News From ITN. 6.03 Today. 6.35 The Saint. 7.30 Coronation Street. 8.00 It Takes A Thief. 9.00 Party Political Broadcast on behalf of the Conserv- ative Party. Special Branch. 10.10 News From ITN 10.40 Association Football.

11.35 Professional Wrestling.

12.05 The Papers. 12.20 Impact On Africa. Yorkshire 5:008: 400 Houseparty 023 Rewa

WORKERS' PRESS

build up one or other of the factions in the leadership as to some sort of alternative Stalinism, as being a develop- ment towards revolutionary Marxism. As we have shown, the two groups feed on each others' opportunism. This is best exemplified in the case of the ex - Y CL leader, Monty Johnstone. In their recent overtures towards the 'liberal' wing of the Stalinists (See 'Grovelling Stalinism' by Cliff before Slaughter. Workers Press No.

1969),, the revisionist Group' has Marxist upheld Johnstone as an 'intellectual' seeking a genuine debate with Trotskyism, as a man trying to break with his Stalinist past. For these renegades from the Fourth International, last year has created deep divisions in the British Co Stalinism is not first of all the theory of 'socialism in one country', which Johnstone con- upholds, sistently but the Moscow Trials and the purges.

How does the 'anti-Stalinist' Johnstone intervene in the present discussion? For him, the Kremlin invasion of Czechoslovakia serves above all as a peg on which to hang a special plea the British Road to Socialism'. The core of this CP pro- gramme-the section dealing with the peaceful, parliament- ary transition to socialism— was drafted by none other than J. V. Stalin. "The debate now going on in our Party on Czechos- 4.17 Paulus. 4.30 Headlines. Survival. 4.55 Lift Off. 5.20 Sexton Blake. 5.50 News. 6.00 Calendar. Weather. 6.30 Hosan's Heroes. 7.00 Toker's Wild. 7.30 Coronation Street. 8.00 The Saint. 9.00 Party Political Broadcast on behalf of Branch. 10.00 News and Weather: 20.40 Conservative Special Football. 11.35 Professional Wrestling.

12.05 a.m. Late Weather. Westward Scho-18. 4.01 Hay Town. 4.13 West Schools. 4.01 Hatty Town. yard The His Hone un how. 4555 4.41 The Gus Honeybun Lift Off. 5.20 Sexton Blake. 5.50 News.

6.00 Westward Diary. 6.35 Crossroads.

7.00 Terasure Hunt. 7.30 Coronation Street. 8.00 The Saint. 9.00 Conserva- tive Partbranch. Political Broadcast. 9.10 Special 10.10 News. 10.40 Weather.m. Faith Anglia 5065018: 4105 Kase Stevar: Cooks. 1.30 Anglia Newsroom. ootball. 11.35 Professional Wrestlin .05 a.m. Reflectio lovakia is far from being a diversion from the vital need to consider how we can build our Party here in Britain. On the contrary it concerns the crucial question of whether we really mean what we say in the "British Road to Socialism" about extending democratic rights and freedoms under socialism.' ('Comment', October 11, 1969.) Who are to be the bene- 'extended factors of these democratic rights'? This is where the real anti- working class of essence Johnstone's brand of Stalinism comes out into the open. He is for the 'democratic rights' of all classes: advocating • in the "British Road" freedom for all democratically organized parties, including those hos- tile to socialism, we go in the British Communist Party leadership.

further than the Czecho- slovaks ever did in Spring 1968. If we were to sanction the right of a group of socialist states to take it upon themselves to inter- vene against the allegedly dangerous consequences of "revisionism", Dubcek's then we should be conceding in principle their right some time in the future to invade a Britain building socialism "model" according to our which is even less acceptable to them.' (Emphasis added.)

This is Johnstone the inter- nationalist speaking: Defend Dubcek now, because one day, we might require similar assis- our support tance for "parties hostile to socialism' makes us unpopular in other countries. Tyne Tees 11.00-11.57 a.m. Schools. 12.55-2.55 p.m.

Schools. 4.09 North East Newsroom. 4.11 News Headlines. 4.13 Torchy. 4.30 Freud On Food. 4.53 North East News- room. 4.55 Lift Off! 5.20 Sexton Blake.

5.50 News. 6.00 Today At Six.

6.30 Police Call. 6.35 Castle Haven. 7.00 The Legend Of Jesse James. 7.30 Coronation Street. 8.00 Man In A Suitcase.

9.00 Conservative Party Political Broadcast.

9.10 Special Branch. 10.10 News. 10.40 Football. 11.35 Professional Wrestling 12.05 a.m. Late News Extra. 12.17 Making Good. Grampian Schools. 4.15 News Headlines. 4.17 Tbe 10.58-11.57 a.m. Schools. 1.38-2.55 Tingha and Tucker Club. 4.30 Castle Haven. 4.55 Lift Off. 5.20 Sexton Blake.

5.50 News. 6.00 Grampian News. 6.10 Grampian Week. 6.35 Crossroads. 7.00 Survival. 7.30 Coronation Street. 8.00 The Baron. Police News. 8.55 9.00 Conservative Party Political Broadcast.

.10 Special Branch. 10.10 News. 10.4 The uman Jungle, 11.35 Professiona Wrestling. Scottish Schools: 20 Scorina 102y 4.30 Schools. Crossroads. 4.55 Lift Off. 5.20 Blake. 5.50 News. 6.00 | Scotland Now. 6.35 7.30 Peyton Place Coronation Street. 5.00 The Saint. 9.00 Conserva tive Par branch. Political Broadcast. 9.10 Special 10.10 News. 10.40 Scotsport. 11.35 Professional Wrestling.

12.08 a.m. Late Call. Remember, this is the same Johnstone boosted by Purdie and the other leaders of the IMG as typical of the new, 'anti-Stalinist' wing within the British Communist Party. Purdie embraces Johnstone at the same time as Johnstone comes forward as the defender of the rights of the Tory Party under the dictatorship of the working class. What better proof of re- visionism's utterly counter- revolutionary role could there be than this? Johnstone's 'support' for Dubcek plays directly into the hands of Dutt and the Soviet bureaucracy. Any class-conscious worker must reject his defence of the Tories with contempt. Within the CP, such hostility to Johnstone's pro-capitalist programme at the moment drives workers to reject the whole case against the Soviet intervention, which they wrongly identify with a firm class line against the type of revisionism personified by Johnstone. The discussion is still in its early stages. It cannot, except in a few cases, flow through any other those carefully channels than provided for it by Dutt and Tohnstone. But with the sharpening of the national and international class struggle, the conflict will burst through the Stalinist framework imposed on it by the leadership. Beneath the exchanges on Czechoslovakia there is a pro- found unease about the steady decline in CP membership, activity and literature sales : '[It] will require a dramatic and inspirational upsurge of our activities on all the fighting fronts, to build the 'But judging from the kind of inspiration of the last two years this is un- likely to happen.' (Charlie Doyle, 'Comment', October 11, 1969.) "The decline of the Party, the YCL and in sales of the "Morning Star" is so serious for the British people that feel many comrades we a fresh ap- should make our inter- praisal of both national and domestic policy' (Doris Tuchfeld, 'Comment', October 11, 1969) This pessimism has taken hold of entire districts, as is proved by the letter from the Hants & Dorset District Com- mittee: 'We in the Hants and Dorset, believe the decisive issue facing our Party at this Congress is the decline of the Party over a whole range of work, membership 6 per cent down, and the low dues-paying average mem- bership, "Morning Star" sales declining, despite consider- fund-raising able efforts, much less direct Party pub- lic activity and the steady decline in the number of workers.' full-time (Com- ment', October 8, 1969.) The same letter draws atten- tion to what might on the surface appear a contradictory development : "This trend includes a drop in sales of "Comment" and other Party literature to our members, contrary to the Party the trend outside of a broadening interest in Marxist works. . • The decline in our public work ... is again in contradiction to the rise of militancy in the organized labour move- ment. ... The continued failure to establish our posi- tion amongst the young as the only genuine Marxist revolutionary party in this country would seriously in- hibit our future growth. Numerous other letters re- late the same story-wonder- ful opportunities, but instead of expansion, a decline in sales, funds, membership, activity and enthusiasm. This contradiction lies at the core of the relationship between Stalinism and the working class. Just as it grew strong in periods of defeat, now it goes into crisis and decline when the working class begins to fight politically. After nearly two decades of foot-slogging along Stalin's parliamentary road to social- ism, the leaders of the British Wednesday, November 12, 1969 Communist Party have to their credit the loss of the only two seats they held in 1945: West Fife and Mile End. Each new swing towards re- formism and vote-chasing has led to a further decline in both votes, at local and national elections. The absymal performance in the Gorbals, and the resigna- tion of J. Reid as the Party organizer for Scotland, may not be unconnected events.

Even more alarming for the Stalinists was the performance of the Young Socialist first- Willis, ever candidate, Frank in the Swindon by-election.

At their first attempt, the Young Socialists came within 64 votes of the CP candidate in a constituency which has been contested many times before by the Party. Today, more than ever be- fore, voting is a class question and for that very reason the Stalinists now lose heavily at the polls. Votes are certainly there to be won, but only in the course of the overall struggle to build the revolutionary party on a principled Marxist foundation.

This is a different working class to the one that, full of social - democratic illusions, voted for Wilson in 1964 and again in 1966. Since then big sections of the class have clashed head-on with the government on wages and unemployment. They are beginning to learn instinctively about the reactionary nature of the 'parliamentary road to socialism'. When the Stalinists come along and cynically offer the working class the same mix- ture as before, only dressed up with a few left phrases, they get the treatment they deserve.

The worker votes Labour with clenched teeth, but he votes Labour as the only way he knows to fight the Tory in an election. The Stalinists provide no answer to that problem. Indeed, in the factories they collaborate with the staunch- est supporters of Wilson in smoothing the way for speed- up and sackings. Unlike the revisionists, and the vultures of the capitalist press (eager as ever to seize on any scandal that can be used to discredit Marxism), we are not speculating on a 'Moscow takeover' at next week's CP Congress. We are intervening in this crisis of Stalinism to fight for the principles of Trotskyism, which alone can point out the road ahead for those Dutt: Upholds Kremlin invasion.

workers and intellectuals struggling to break from the opportunist policies enshrined in Stalin's 'British Road'.

Neither Dutt, Gollan nor Johnstone represent anything but Stalinism in crisis. It is the crisis that now others' hurls them at each throats, but it remains a struggle between counter- revolutionaries. Marxist principles and quotations are invoked to de- fend one opportunist line against another. Here, as in all its other aspects, Stalinism remains as cynical as ever in its prostitu- tion of Marxist theory and method. Despite the completely un- principled nature of the split in the Party leadership, rank- and-file members will take sides on the basis of their own problems and differences with the Party leadership. Here we must be patient, and always prepared to open a discussion on the historical origins of the present crisis and the necessity for a break with Stalinism. The 31st Congress of the British Communist Party will undoubtedly be a landmark in the decline of British Stalinism.

We shall do everything in our power to make that decline as rapid and as complete as possible.

Wednesday, November 13, 1969 growing at the 'grass-roots' of

REVOLUTIONARIES

the Tory Party. have always taken a Powell represents a marked politics of the change in the clear attitude to the Conservative Party. fascists and their friends His racialist demagogy is something new in Tory on the Tory right wing. the leadership—a tendency to- We do not engage in wards authoritarian right-wing rule on a Bonapartist basis.

'debate' with these Powell is not a fascist, but people and have always he is opening the door for the his fascists. In particular treated them as enemies split the racialism serves to with whom we are at working class, weakening it and laying it open to further from the attacks employers and the fascists. This is the only principled osition to adopt toward re avowed enemies of th Powellism This principle retains all its force today, when the struggle is forcing a large section of the Tory Party ration fo reformists con- the tini i crass the Poweltes big busit, ss have not toro of their behind their preparing the back- well, but there can be: ubt that his strength Orders for the Sooond Debate The University of Leicester Debating Union Thursday, 16th October, 1969 at 8 pm in The Queen's Hall "This House considers Socialist Internationalism Speaking for the Proposition: Mr. Tarią Ali Mr. Tim Smith President of Nottingham University Speaking for the Opposition: Prince Michael Grousinski Mr. John Tyndall of the National Front Chairman: CHRISTOPHER C. CHEESMAN

'THE BLOOD ON THE MARSH IS NO

REFLECTION OF MY RED COAT'

Written by James Pettifer Playhouse, Oxford AT THE Playhouse, The conflict between the •father, Sir Alexander Croake, Oxford, last week the and his illegitimate son University Experimental returned from the colonies, is old Theatre Club staged the the conflict between the and conservatism paternalism first performance of a of the landed gentry and the play by 20-year-old idealism of the French new James undergraduate revolution. Pettifer. If it is anything The age-old historical com- of the to go by, it indicates a placency squire, surrounded by his books, his far more serious turn to volumes of verse, the end of Marxism in the univer- of the 18th the line century notion of cultured of sities. mall letters, is rudely shattered Pettifer's subject is the when the labourers take over agricultural (or 'Swing') riots his house and burn his of 1830-1831, an important property. movement in the history of His is a way of life totally inadequate deal with the to British labour struggles- rapidly-changing situation and agricultural labourers, were it is the newer elements from the who the facing the threat of the city grasp the initiative and bring in Enclosures Act and were• troops. in search of driven finally His rebel son reflects all the employment from the intoler- and vacillations uncertainties able conditions on the land of idealism. The themselves swelling labourers the rapidly into are reacting to this changing industrial towns and cities.

situation, trying to organize themselves It was a period when the the Associa- modern proletariat was given, primitive form tion. of forced birth. unionism. as it were, Rural England could Here their militancy is met never the not bider ones, traditionally rooted remain same again, conservatism only for the expelled agricul- tural labourers, but for the in religion and respect authority. then ruling class of squires and Their rebellion has only the aristocrats. partial Power shifted dramatically and ultimate success to the cities and into the hands defeat that their historical development could allow. of the thrusting new Such historically premature industrialists. struggles could only be fought The class nature of these struggles is well understood by through and won by an organ- ized and Pettifer. politically mature The recent "Times' article about the attempts by a group of Powellites in Surbiton to present MP, replace their shows the build-up of Powellite forces that is taking in the Tory local place associations. The polarization of class forces produces a which Powell also produces some re- markable effects among the centrist and revisionist groups, like the International Marxist Group ('Pabloite'), the 'state capitalist' International Social- ism group and the rump of the Independent Labour Party.

Instead of preparing for battle with Powell and with the even more right-wing tendencies that are gathering under his umbrella, these people have suddenly dis- covered an urge to take part in debates and discussions with them.

BRITIS

The most blatant example

ISM (

of this tendency comes from and th the Independent Labour Party, Turner which takes a real pride in its the Lo discussions with the National

ILP, 01

Front. for the In fact, on the eve of the "This teach-in organized between before the National the IP and diameti Front, the ILP sent out the points following press release. have m It is reproducing worth we an almost in full, because it discuss illustrates so well the liberal, middle-class mealy-mouthed, politics that lies behind this move to 'discussion' with the National Front. 'Recent months', the release Com: begins 'have seen a strong is almo upsurge of racialist activity to note and propaganda by extremist who ha right-wing organizations Nation: London and many provincial bodies cities. By far the strongest organiz and most militant of these Inste groups is the National Front, danger amalgamation of the an League of Empire Loyalists movem the wh with the British National Party and other in'. groups, including some formerly connected with We Colin Jordan's National Social- is teac What ists. to lear Front? Teach-in And views should 'The activities of the everyb led to both si racialists have often violent clashes with the ex- The indicat treme left. "The London Division of stands " racialis the Independent Labour Party considers that opposing views, prejudi side w however repugnant, cannot be put down by organized own pr reasoned Henc hooliganism. against racialism Fabian argument must be put forward; and we are confident that if this is fascists done, sane view will variety the prevail.... abrogat 'Accordingly, a TEACH-IN can bi 'debate is to be held on THURSDAY, OCTOBER 30, at 7.30 p.m....

in' wit The theme will be:- workin

'WHICH WAY FOR THE

The proletariat. That task still lies ahead James Pettifer has attempted an extremely ambitious can- vass and for that he must be congratulated. But one must say that his intellectual understanding out- strips at this stage his creative and imaginative abilities.

He has struggled not only with the subject matter, but also for a new form necessary to meet the task of what he "class-con- rightly describes scious' theatre. In this he leans heavily on Brecht, but without his deft- ness or his ability to extract the dramatic essence scene with wit and variety.

In trying to create a new rich language, Pettifer often falls into turgid excesses of overwriting and there is this patchiness and of contrasts hard-edged and poetic dialogue with over-indulgent floweri- ness. Neither is he helped by unimaginative production an which at no point reaches out to grapple with the problems and challenges of the play.

There is a muted lack-lustre quality in performance where a more confident, daring and innovatory style could trans- form the play. If such criticisms seem it is because I think harsh, that Pettifer has attempted a real break through both in dramatic and political terms.

The lessons of the failures in the play can be a great help to other who writers are turning more and more to political questions and are struggling for ways of express- ing them. In this he has made a valuable contribution. I wait James with a impatience and great Red C interest for his next play.

an agri

WORKERS' PRESS

HN SPENCER

CIAL-

most as a caricature, but the SM ?' move to cosy discussions with e Bill Powellites is not confined to e for the ILP. f the The University of Leicester well Union had to cancel on October 15 a debate that had since been advertised for the fol- such lowing day. view- The inevitable Tariq Ali right was billed to speak alongside , and one Tim Smith in support of lively the motion "This house con- siders Socialist International- ism to be a necessary and endemic policy of the Twentieth Century'. Opposing the motion were to have been Prince Michael Grousinski, right - wing a ament monarchist, and John Tyndall icient of the National Front. those The notice cancellation e the posted in the University Union imilar on the eve of the debate gives t as three reasons for the cancel- lation. f the Many students, quite cor- -wing rectly, were hostile to the educe Union's providing a platform teach- for Tyndall. The University security , who officer refused to guarantee the safety of Tyndall and opose Grousinski. tional f the , Cancellation Front when *seen The most important reason for the cancellation, however, even vas that The main speaker of e ILP the evening, Mr Tariq. Ali, of might** who would doubtlessly [sic] have enhanced the intellectual either flavour of the debate has their flown to Canada (the reason not stated). 1 old ancid. 'However, in his letter, he y for also expressed the view that Front "to debate with fascist would be unacceptable any- letely There way". (Despite my informing him that a National Front rep- teach- resentative would be opposing of the the motion.) The late timing of this letter prevents a sub- stitute of equal calibre [!]' *e al- Blood on the Marsh is no Reflection of my gricultural riots of 1830-1831. Above the same period. This notice contradicts Mr Ali's own verbal assurance that he did not know Tyndall was billed to speak against him, but the episode should be a sharp warning to Ali him- Debate Anyone who takes on the task of enhancing the intel- lectual flavour of student unions up and down the country can easily be used to reduce revolutionary politics and principled issues to the level of a debate with the arch-enemies of the working class. It is, of course, absolutely correct for Ali to refuse to debate with Tyndall, and this is to his credit. There can be no discussion with such people. Unlike Leicester the University Debates Committee, who think that 'a point of should be allowed a tearful, view, however and that 'A debate should be the very time when the ideal of the right to speak is freely granted', we consider that no rights should be extended to fascist and racialist enemies of the working class, and that where possible they should be prevented from expounding their views. of disarming Instead the working class in this way and reducing struggle with fascism to the level of a DO YOU not think that an inter- view between you and Powell wIll serve to whitewash a man whose racialism Is designed to split the working class? PAUL FOOT: I don't think it's any dangerous interviewing more Powell than anybody else to whom your totally own VIeWS are opposed. 'When | wrote my book on immigration in 1965 | spoke to all sorts of peopleimmigrant asso- ciations, the British National Party others. Often the and several only way to get information is from the people themselves.

'One can do this as long as they know where one stands.

'I wouldn't have gone to Powell if he hadn't offered. But I only took his offer up after making clear exactly where I stood.

'If you read the book when it comes out, there's no question of a whitewash. 'I agree, of course, with what you say about splitting the work- ing class.' DO YOU recognize that the struggle against Powell Is one of life and death for the labour movement, and If this is so, cannot be reduced to a journal- Directed by John Li At the London Film JOHN LLEWELYN is also young (25) and his first film, 'Events', will be shown as one of the two British entries for the London Film Festival The other is 'Kes, which we shall review next week.

Llewelyn has a lot of enter- prise. He made this full-length feature film £5,000 for colour, which, in the world of the industry, where a low budget means £18,000, is a remarkable achievement. He is also afflicted with a terrible pessimism and despair.

The film attempts to find the connection and contradic- tion between political involve- ment and a private life of love and enjoyment. * The unconscious contradic- tion, as I see it, but not, I think, the director, that neither the so-called political involvements have or sexual anything that remotely corres- ponds to passion or commit- ment. It is a catalogue of bored posturing and for that is very often an accurate portrait of certain "trendy' dispossessed of the middle and lower middle class. It is that world of feckless, jobless hustlers of the Kings Road and Finches. Both politics and sex are no more than conversation pieces between drags of hash. They recite and read out and debate', it is necessary to stand extremely firm on the principle that racialism and fascism are our irreconcilable enemies, and must be treated accordingly. This principle unfortunately seems to have by-passed Paul Foot, journalist and member of the International Socialism 'state capitalist' group.

As part of the preparation for a book Foot has just published on Enoch Powell, he accepted an invitation from Powell to interview the man.

The Workers Press spoke to Foot about his interview with Powell. His answers to some of our questions show clearly how far he is from a principled position on this vital question.

Racialist The basic principled differ- ence between Foot's position and ours is that he is prepared to discuss with Powell, while we do not consider discussion permissible with a man whose racialist policies are opening the door to fascism. If the fight against Powellism is a life-and-death question, every effort must be then made in to prepare principled way for this type of struggle, Foot's attitude the to question whether or not to interview Powell is steeped in precisely the same liberalism as the London ILP and the Leicester University Union.

If the question were simply one of Foot and Powell as two individuals, the matter might have ended there. Istic question. What Is your attitude to this point of view?

PAUL FOOT: 'This is absolutely true, it's a life-and-death struggle.

'But what is a "journalistic question"? The book is a call to absolutely reject Powell's ideas.

'Of course Powellism is against the working class and the trade unions. Powell is a supporter of the capitalist system and out of this arises his racialism.

1 regard the struggle against this as an extremely urgent politi- cal question. 'This is not a joumalistic ques- tion, but if one has the informa- tion about the people one's ex- posing, the exposé is more valuable. 'I'd defend the interview 100 per cent. 'Are you saying it's wrong to interview people you're opposed to politically? if you're exposing someone, you make it clear, but if you turn down an interview on the basis of political opposition you're turn- ing down an opportunity. 'This is part of the political journalist's business.' SINCE It is traditional for By Brian I

'EVENTS'

ted by John Llewelyn London Film Festival discuss Black Power, Vietnam, the Middle East, sexual attrac- tion, blowing up Big Ben; buy records, get busted by the police and have their hair done at expensive hairdressers.

It is such an isolated and desperate world. * You can only draw con- clusions of despair, for there is no way forward here. In a sense the film has a great authenticity. Maybe several hundred young men and women in Chelsea or Ladbroke Grove will identify with the charac- ters in this film, but more than that. . • What it does serve is an un- inarticulate ex- consciously pression of the cul-de-sac of this kind of so-called politics which have attracted so much attention over the last few years. That it exists, one doesn't deny. That it is one expression within dispossessed and primarily middle-class group- ings of the crisis of capitalism, one agrees. * But its resolution is not found in the flat inarticulacy of bored political gossip, but in the conscious struggle for raising the political conscious- ness of the working class.

The contrast with Pettifer's play and this is striking and is indicative of the various levels of political development at this stage.

PAGE THREE

But the interview was im- mediately publicized in the Tory press, in the Charles Greville column of the Daily Mail. The Tory press, with an un- erring eye for every violation of principle on the part of these revisionist adventurers, is quick to circulate it round the country, suitably embel- lished with cynical comments.

This can only serve to dis- orient and confuse the struggle against Powellism, no matter how much 'information' Foot was able to extract from the interview. Marxist principles are more important than the journalistic acquisition of information, which must be entirely sub- ordinated to the fight for principled revolutionary poli- tics. That is why Foot's specula- tion about debates and inter- views with Powell or with working-class Powellites is entirely frivolous. The Socialist Labour League will participate in no such debates.. Powellism will not be de- feated in the course of debate.

Those who think this are victims of the same middle- class illusions which sustain the 'peaceful road to socialism'.

In the case of the revision- ists and 'lefts' who are now displaying such eagerness to and interview debate the of the heroes right, their abdication of principles must be fought to a finish in the process of building a revolu- tionary leadership in the working class. Only such a leadership can defeat Powell. An interview with Paul Foot soclalists not to debate with fasclsts, do you think that this principle applies to Powell who -whilst not a fascist-s cer- tainly opening the door to a fascist movement In the future.

If not, why not? PAUL FOOT: 'Is it traditional to make no examination of the ex- treme right? 'The question of a debate is an interesting one. It's not the same, though. 'Would the Workers Press turn down a debate against Powell, or at least against Powellites? It's doubtful if it would. To turn down the interview would have been a kind of ab- stentionism. I think it would have "he can't tell been wrong to say me anything I don't know"' and tell him to go to hell. 'Of course fascists shouldn't be debated with. This is not in the same bracket, though. 'When I was writing the Penguin in 1964-1965 | went and spoke to John Bean of the Southall Resi- dents' Association, Tim Jones of the Racial Preservation Society and others. I'm not ashamed of that at all-the stuff in the book is very valuable for socialists.!

• Brian Moore 'Events' also stands as a very pale second to the very real wit and humour and irony of a really very good film which has received hardly any atten- tion at all now showing at the Essoldo in the Kings Road, Chelsea. It is called "Greetings' and is made by another young direc- tor, 25-year-old Brian de Palma from New York. Its story is simple. Three young men are waiting for the draft and are doing everything in their power to get out of it.

They devise a whole story to tell the draft board that they are perverts, sadists, mem- bers of an ultra-right political organization and want nothing more than to be given the opportunity to kill. While they are waiting for the results, they pursue their own preoccupations. * One is obsessed with the Kennedy assassination. An- other goes on several computer dates. The third pursues his particular form of voyeurism.

Their adventures add up for the most part to a very funny account of American capitalist obsessions, neuroses, hang-ups and frustrations. There are some marvellous performances unknown actors and it has all the vitality and anarchy of youth. It is by no means a great film, but as a gust of real American life, limited ob- viously to certain sections of the metropolis, it is very re- freshing. It has energy and invention.

It is well worth seeing. Needless to say, the trio gets drafted.

WORKERS' PRESS

Wednesday, November 12, 1969

PAGE FOUR

Ulbricht approves B-P refinery, Grangemouth 50 р.с.

PAY RISE

Brandt's move for

POLICE ATTACK

FOR

SCANLON

of two ARTAR a deaN talks weeks, 'Neues Deutschland solate uni

BOILERMAKERS'

MR

HUGH SCANLON,

BY ROBERT BLACK

paper, commente Chancellor pical prestinist s of the ruling B Brand 28 it statement real der the almounced change East either secret or thro to wards Basma channel see germany edition edited chattante By an Industrial correspondent

PICKETS

governments. he a 'ICKETS clashed with police for the second time New in a week outside the B-P refinery at Grangemoutl othere, Bast Israeli on Monday. many, with interest. Sixty police, in places government South African mining lined three deep, up 2,000 Devon President sia, as pickets from preventing busloads of scabs enter cata rich terr ing the refinery. tragedy exposes engineers one deker was arested. number police the was Israeli at last Thursday's demon- Springboks' tour in wages station ambassador The distant he sacking visits F.O. fight Prom a corresoondent SIXTY-FIVE mine- t allow thei duce over Billon polic workers were killed by boilermakers blast and rock-fall in invested South saTed because hers Hillon a carr over C100 a dynamite explosion LIGHT engineering factories in Exeter, Newton Abbot in the capitalist gold country. were hit on sunday when and neatnea (oevon) 2,000 Centrax workers decided to strike after a week mines of South Africa Rumania The other unions on th of guerrilla actions to back their pay demands.

Called Boer War to site last Friday. tembers to mining in So ca Africa Bol Deputy convenor Mr D to allow of Thirty their com- Hawker interesangeably of labour tne sinke rades, who were working the Mondays meeting: private on a stage above the ex foremen wa 2 struggle plosion, deceasic which happened Biggest need st til to enterprise rield of 6.7 per cent. not kind to e nearly 0,00v teet De ow some The very cakey see d 'penal surface, were injured. act over this face op the ate e By a foreign correspondent Nearly all Atticad dead ACCORDING to reports from merit pay miners were Our struggle one pad R strictions For the boilermakers' face

WULACIS

household enty a Bod ime belonging to the Butes a rican compady efensiv Gree Sorth At neir old inio company: been exhausted illed the mine works, At t sot Touch Atones saric west of England work- strike the by the compan mo baleo ted.

duties towards ties alin Produc a through Near slave labour works to prolide money material for world Second class the bishops world The Belong need s , Sallagher, ETU shop Hugh Protection salaries mas with im Rolls Royce, Scotland, sparks claim average shop-floor production racialiste of mie issues in ste re f GOLD the so-cal C.A.V. (Acton) A fight on two fronts racialism that At the the Exeter actory, sate Stringer said: revolutionary. bosses hathere the strikers wore joy The on hit hing a d Racialism is simlismon hold back down against wage deal electricians whole trul pay strike it HistoR Rolls-Royce listent is в Соні " factories and

TUBE GUARDS

south-west.' based on a came from

STRIKE

Ele on i terent between

FROM BO SHAW

on stride to 14 hacks te against for the inter

TODAY

hate from rodentic agree management, userading scheme ite Transport Boar Support the South African shop stewards workers street way t Measured-Day Work. accept uon coldg. s of its as more t the Springbok tou The electricians refuse dates bose protect the Spring Its structure- Monty Johnstone Adamant sible and to part l'. agreement shows: the day be fo 65 workers died urday guard a Smart too grades saiss and 36 with Both are accept en at workers were CP guided Auctivity deals Mr Galla- communist in pher said: B'ham rent strike The thi mittee 1 port for them monk i Said Act with must be won y even he refuse to eace contretie to Workers Miss Mos of ings.' Thrown out close reen shas of back on OVER 40 council tenants in Balsall Heath, Birmingham, ctricians are i have now withheld their rents for nearly three months.

confidence Kilbre factory listrict committee The tenants have decided national means of payment advance By a Workers Press pay while they are forced to live They wilson orer, to under ner Communist Party men- sium conaltons Does Workers Press, October 22).

Chem tober baco Backinives hold door working Lengton pried ear, t: been 'linked ou •We were able to do thi basis to and woe epted by the workerwas ac Alexandra. Whole our Trage, On that Bass, he and the ye of all banks, demands 'Protest' level a Union e strings. leader- Commission Grievance procedure M.P.s to stamp Systall. b) Save ace procedure clus on building One Will, out Royal poverty Hor l the brents del with the where merger representatives

PARLIAMENT

Prince arent he needing THE Monopolies Commi to be heldt-back meeting was 120)

L-LE

has mad earth seamar of the strikest be no sell-out Redland The to at the fight againse these gentlemen ha Doors of toe mitle ess, nice nder Stalinist Street, London. Under the growing crisis of