Clause Four hangs on union vote
Socialist Outlook1990sScanned print read by OCR, and not yet proofread: expect run-together words, dropped letters and, where a piece began partway down a page, a few lines of its neighbour. The printed page is the authority.
The unions have put up for Blair. the strongest fight in defence of Clause Four.
The stakes are high, especially for low-paid and public sector workers who have lost out most heavily to Tory free market policies.
Thinking the result is in the bag, Blair has already been touring radio studios making it clear that his right wing project has only just started, pledging to break the union link, and ship. claiming that the Labour Party is undergong a "revolution".
In one interview he expressed admiration for Mrs Thatcher - both of her "determination" as a politician and her stress on "enterprise".
If unions currently back- ballots. ing Clause Four, particularly UNISON and the TGWU hold firm, the special conference vote is likely to be about 60 - 40 If other unions like the votes in their hands. GMB or the MSF went for the old clause it could be much tighter.
The decision of UNISON time he goes on TV. to back the existing Clause was exactly the boost the campaign needed in its final stages. This victory was quickly cut across, however, by the CWU, whose vote went 9-1 to Blair, and USDAW, despite its large low-paid memberMuch therefore rests on those yet to decide.
Both the media and the Blair camp are making the most of the CWU's ballot result, claiming this vindicates their line. But many of the unions which have voted for Blair did not hold It remains, however, a very fluid situation with a vote. lot of pressure still to be The left and the Camaplied by the right. A lot of paign therefore need to keep arms are still to be twisted up the pressure throughout up the backs of those with this week to hold onto the exListing vote and to extend it The TGWU is especially by winning the MSF vote and vulnerable. Bill Morris at least an abstention from equivocates more every the GMB.
As recently as the ScotAs we go to press he is tish TUC GMB leader John insisting that despite cur- Edmonds was joining calls rent NEC policy it will be for a f4 minimum wage, full the delegation to confer- employment and renationalience which will decide - sation of utilities, none of and refuses even to say which is compatible with which way he would prefer Blair's new clause. them to cast the TGWU At the same time the left Queen Elizabeth Conference Centre (westminster tube) BRING YOUR BANNERSI must be organised for special conference itself and the events surrounding it.
Earlier in the morning the Campaign is organising a meeting of delegates who are supporting the existing clause to discuss tactics and options inside the conference itself.
The Campaign has organised a tremendous fight over the past six months in defence of the clause, in defence of socialism, and in defence of a crucial reference point in the LP constitution.
Whatever the outcome of the special conference this weekend the campaign can be proud of this record, proud that it has been at the centre of the biggest political debate in the labour movement for decades, and proud that in the course of Bill Morris: preparing to eat his strong words?
this it has rebuilt links and helped to strengthen a sectjon of the left in both the LP and the trade unions which has been prepared to wage this fight under very difficult conditions.