Date: Wed, 29 Nov 1995 11:48:17 -0500
From: TimW333521-AT-aol.com
Subject: Re: Socialist Labour Party


I have learned much from this discussion of British politics.  I realize that
there are certainly aspects of the questions raised which those of you on
this list who live in Britain and who participate in left politics are the
best to judge.  For example, I do not know whether it is or is not possible
to function effectively with radical politics as a member of the Labour
Party.

However I do believe that  all on the left should support the Labour Party in
the next general election.  To run any kind of independent campaigns would
get little support and, in any event, would be objectively an aid to the
Tories.  And a Labour victory would be in the interests of workers.    We
need to do what is in workers' interests even if such steps fall extremely
far short of our ultimate objectives.

There are two, I think related, issues I would like to raise particularly to
those of you who live in Great Britain.

(1) What portion of the working class votes Tory?  What changes, if any, is
taking place among these workers?

(2)   What are the demographics  of the relations of classes in Great Britain
as well as the proportion and influence of organized versus unorganized
workers?  My thought is that, to some extent, Britain may be experiencing the
kinds of changes so strong affecting U.S. politics (shrinking union
membership, growing middle class).

I raise these questions because the left may feel ripples of support here and
there among some students and workers adversely affected by global changes in
the economy.  Yet we need to place these important strands within an overall
understanding of the realities of class relations in macrocosm.


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