DWARF Any progress towards unity made by the National Convention of the Left must be counted as modest. Certainly views were aired, issues discussed, heated arguments arose, and, as more than one speaker pointed out, old friends were met and new ones made. However, not one course of action was agreed. Speaker after speaker declared that what was required was not a talking shop but a programme of action, and yet at the end of the day every single issue was remitted back to a 'Continuing Commission, whose only mandate was - to COLLIUC.
Unity was the aim, by means of the lowest common denominator. It was hoped that by a frank and free discussion, differences would be revealed yet a common platform could be reached on which all would unite. In the end, unity was achieved by a series of cautiously worded resolutions from the chair, usually carried nem con, either because the delegates | the top down. the import of the motion was such as to offend no one.
Perhaps the most crucial decision of the conference, when to reconvene, and whether to reconvene on a delegate basis, was postponed not because of the IS-CP controversy, but because the chairman refused to put it to the vote, presumably fearing that 'unity" would be endangered. The organisation of the convention was itself discredited when it was revealed that it had conveniently omitted one of the eight reports significantly on Democracy and the State, from the final draft, because of too much disagreement. The lowest common denominator had turned out to be consensus.
One key question as to the future of the Convention is whether it will work at a local level. Its stated objective is to set up Left Forums or Left Councils to co-ordinate actions. I suggest that these good intentions are likely to fail. At present co-ordinated local action petv en groups springs from the necessity to pool resources, from local knowledge of a common enemy (bad housing, rent increases, working conditions), and frequently from good communications between the groups due to an interpenetration of members and friends. Often groups are more willing to co-operate locally than nationally simply because members know and meet frequently in pubs, at work, at college, etc. A Left Forum would add nothing to this, and would be unlikely to initiate action not already undertaken by one group another. Unity must be from the roots up, not journalistic heavens, chasing this time after the Sun. What can it all be about? Has the man's judgement gone awry? Where is the spark that lit the fire of Pergamon? Surely Maxwell can find a better use for his money than throwing the Sun's mother-of-pearl into the pig-pen of rssf special paper 9d or 27 plus a poster. Obtainable from: RSSF, 59 Fleet Street, London EC4. Tel: FLE 573 The RSS's first national paper has just been published. It sets out to give the background to the struggle in Ireland, and to encourage solidarity action in Britain. It includes articles on Ireland's ustory and economy, photos, a map, statistics, bibliography and so on. 9d each (add 4d pp), or £ MONDAY MAY 26: RELEASE ALL SOUTI AFRICAN POLITICAL PRISONERS There are 10,000 in Vorster's gaols. March from Hyde Park (Old Exhibiti on Site), assemble 12-12.30 leave 1pm fa Trafalgar Square 2pm.
Speakers: Befriadet Devlin MP; Robin Executive, ANG of South Arica Organised by Blackburn; Ernie Roberts Anti-Apartheid and Ruskin Kitson Committee.
Tel: 580-5311.
SAT MAY 31: ACCORD (Action Catapaign to outlaw racial discrimination) International Ball Attists: John Dan Cork Ceo Lane Par Artists: John Dankworth, Cleo Laine, Pena (flamenco), Soft Machine, light show, licensed bar, Tickets Irom the Roundhouse box office (tel: 485-8073) and Camden Committee for Community Relations, 25 Euston Rd, NW1 (tel: 827-9261).
TUES JUNE 3: DISCUSSION MEETING:
CHINA IN MAY 1969. a report from Roland Berger. 7.30pm at SACU, 24 Warren Street, London W1. (tel: 387-0074).
Scripts of two street theatre pieces about repressive education, performed school playgrounds: "Who am I?' and The Sad and Avoidable Fate of Everyone Here', are available from PSST! (Political Slogan Street Theatre), c/o 7 St Andrews Hill, Cambridge, at 6d for one copy or 2/6 for 6. Their next project is the creation of pieces attacking university examinations to be performed outside lecture halls. All critiques, ideas, synopses, scenes are welcomed and scripts) and critiques will be distributed mid-May to those who ask for them, so that the anti-examination project may have national impetus.
Would anyone interested in forming and parucipalme ur a bingnan squallers urou please get in contact with me as soon as possible with a view to action this summer.
Any advice from the London Group would be much appreciated. Let's do something about Brum's slums! Act now! Contact KEITH RUSSELL, CIO CONWAY ROAD, COLNE VALLEY MAIL ORDER CO., (BO) 126 The Please send me the BLACK DWARF for the next 6/12
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