Lart' -— A COMINT by J.P.
The decision to have an inquiry into 'keep Left' and its connection with the S.L.L. by the National Executive of the Labour Party, even though carried by a small majority is a matter of serious concern for all left wingers in the Labour Party.
Conference voted overwhelmingly against 'Signposts for the Sixties’, for democratic control of 'New Advance', two to one against Gaitskell's foreign policy and for unilateralism, substantially for Gaitskell's resignation and many other left wing policies. Despite the fact that all those influenced by 'Keep Left! and 'Young Guard! voted against any attack on 'Keep Left' the resolution was carried. Only one conclusion can be drawn from this, that is that a sector of the left wing vote was so hostile to Keep Left' that it voted along with the right wing.
That this is because of the tactics of the S.L.L. and the use of gangster methods by a section of 'Keep Lefters' goes without saying. Readers of this Bulletin will have read of some of these activities in Nottingham. This factor will complicate terribly the fight for democracy inside the Young Socialists in the coming months.
It is not necessary to argue against the proposition that we should leave 'Keep Left' to its fate. Neither from the point of view of principle or expediency would such a propgsition be put forward. The right wing are attacking 'Keep Left' not because som8’*its misguided supporters have used physical violence or the threat of physical violence against their opponents — left and right but because of the left policies which the paper puts forward. On the other hand all experience has shown that the witch hunt knows no barriers, once set into motion it will be used against all sections of the left.
But there is a danger that we will be ‘tarred with the same brush! if our defence of 'Keep Left! is not on a high political level. Ve should avoid at all costs being involved in the argument as to whether or not there has been physical violence. In fact, it can be said that this is not the point at all. Any youth movement runs the risk of political argumentation becoming so vigourous that tempers are lost. We advance this not because we think this iso 8xplanation of the behaviour of certain sections of 'Keep Left' supporters but because it would give the latter the best get out. If these elements would abandon these nethods it would provide the best possibility of defeating the right.
Politically we should argue along the following lines: firstly, if there is any ‘investigating to be done in the Young Socialists,as part of our general policy of automony for the Young Socialists,we should argue that this be done by the Young Socialists themselves. Secondly, . e must make it clear to all that the reason for the attack is not the question violence but that of the right wing using this question as an excuse to silence its critics. Thirdly, we must. appue that if the Labour Party leadership would hand over democratic control of New Advance to the Young Socialists themselves they would cut away the arguments for independent Y.S. journals. Fourthly, we must argue for the carrying out of all Young Socialist conference decisions - not just the one carried by a tiny majority which suits the right.
While arguing along the above lines and opposing in all organisations and at all levels any witch hunt, we mist explain to our comrades around 'Keep Left! that many of their difficulties flow purely from the existence of the S.L.L. as an 'open! organisation. The latter being a result of the adventuristic policies of leadership of the S.L.L.. In addition their isolation from the rest of the left is caused largely by their 'social fascist' attitude twwards other tendencigs. Needless to say such discussion should not take in the Y.S. branch. Moreover we must be clear that the enemy is the right wing and therefore avoid, no matter what the provocation, being involved in faction in-fighting. There is a big danger that the worst elements of the S.L.L. will use this whole discussion to provoke such a fight, with the aim of putting other left tendencies ‘on the spot' - similar tactics were Used when the S.L.L. was launched. News of the attitude and tactics of S.L.L.ers will help:in assessing our tactics.