The Conference has much to take into account. Two major anti-fascist actions on the streets of London over recent months have made the fascists of the National Front and their policies a talking point in factories, the country.
Alf Jennings In Leicester, Asian workers at Imperial Typewriters won a partial victory against disctimination at work but in the teeth of opposition from fellow white workers and local union bureaucrats. The Imperial strike is the sort of event that foroes trade unionists to lace the issue of racism on the shop floor.
The recent clection marked the return from 'exile of Enoch Pow eil, the arch-racist, trailing the reactionary Loyalist legions behind him, and thrusting Ireland into the centre of the class struggle in Britain. Powell in the past has even been able to get some of the best organised workers to take strike action in support of his racist policies.
Powell is poised to anchor himself even more firmly into those backward sentiments that forin part working people: racism, hatred for Irish republicanism, a chauvinist little Englander of Dunkirk" opposition to the EBC, the admiration for the "Churchillian' leader-figure, and the sexist moral prudery that surrounds family matters.
There will be several questions at the Conference around which contro versy already exists and debate will take place. How to fight against the National Front, for example. There sites and union branches up and down are many, including the CP, who beLieve a campaign designed to achieve legal curhs-e.g. by strengthening the Race Relations Act- will do the trick. Revolutionaries argue, however, that only the mobilisation of workers and students on the streets can effectively deprive the NF of a platform.
Again there will be many who be lieve it sufficient to call on black workers to 'unite" with their white brothers against the common enemy, yet remain blind to the simple fact that fellow white workers are often complicit with the management in holding down blacks. The IMG argues that if black workers are not to become hostile to trade unions altogether, the independent organisation of blacks within the unions, when necessary, and vigorous campaigns of support wherever black workers go into struggle, are vital.
Debates
Underlying these "tactical" debates Lie fundamental 'strategic' issues. Do we combat the forces of political reof the everyday culture of millions of action and the increasing repression from the state that these forces help promote, by relying on an alliance of "democratic' forces to defend democracy "1 Or do we rely on the independent organisations of the working class to overturn capital1st armamentary vomoctacy and te place it with workers" democracy? iciary.
disputes.
The Scarman Tribunal resumed its hearing on Monday in the midst of an unprecedented offensive ag ainst democratic rights by the judWidgery has sent down the Shrews bury Two, while his fellow-judge Forbes has handed down the noterlous Prebble's judgment making picketing illegal for all non-industtial Scarman will be under heavy ruling class pressure to keep the pot boiling by recommending that the police are given more powers.
The position of the International ing: Marxist Group is to oppose all new powers for the poliec. IMG spokesperson at the Tribunal, Dave Bailey, told Red Weekly that he would also ed police he putting forward a demand for the repeal of the Public Order Act:
"In our view, the time has come Act to get rid of this pernicious legistation, so that the labour movement can take up the burning political is sues of the day-like the fascist threatwithout police interference.' As democratic rights won by the labour movement after decades of struggle come under fire, we will have to step up the campaign to detend then. The Scarman Tribunal is only one platform where these demands are being taken up. The trade unions and the Labour Party are others A campaign must be built demandRepcal of the Public Order Act -Disbandment of the special antidemo' police, the SPG and the mount.
-Dropping of all charges under the Public Order Act and the Conspiracy