The fact that an official lobby of Parliament by Young Socialists is taking place is a victory for the Y.S. and the Labour Party left. It is also symptomatic of a different atmosphere in the party— such a lobby would have been unthinkable whilst Gaitskell ‘was party leader. No one has any illusions about the effect of the lobby on Tory M.P.s — they know perfectly well what the results of Tory policy are for young peoplee The lobby, however, has the virtue of bringing into political activity — and political discussion —- large numbers of young people.
Young people are especially hard-hit by the employers! dosiro to be as ‘efficient! as possible (at the expense of the working class) The young people who have not yet started work cannot combat closures or speed up. The policies of 'last in — first out® and allowing 'natural wastage! to reduce the pay roll hurt youth more than adults. The introduction ofautamation is cutting the number of traditionally skilled jobs open to young people. Rationalisation of distribution and the service sectors reduces the number of jobs for young people. It is not just a question of Tory policy? these factcrs are intrinsic to capitalisme That is why most advanced capitalist countries have a youth unemployment problem — oven the mighty United States. That is also the raason Young Socislists not oniy fight the Tories but fight for socialist policies within the Labour Party.
The .other great question for young people — conscription — also demands a socialist solution. “Whilst there are politicians who sco Britain's (i.e. British capitalism's) economic salvation in the exploitation of other,countries' resources, British youth will face the threat of bein= out to impose this exploitation by force.
Because young people areattracted towards a socialist solution of the problems of society they come into conflict with the 'powers that bo! — and not only in society in general but in the Labour Party, tooe In its short period of existence the Young Socialists! movement has been under continuous threat of disbandment. Hach Y.S. annual conference threatens to be the last. There are special reasons for thinking that this year's annual conference could very well be the last. “hilst within the Labour Party leadership there is a genuine desire to avoid splitting the party, this foeling will cease to be so strong after theelection. Indeed, if this: year's Y.5. annual conference goes on record, as it has at others, for left-wing policies there will be many voices in the party's higher ranks calling for disbandment,
After the election a basic discussion will be on the agondas will labour attompt to run British capitalism more efficiently, or will it seek to introduce socialist measures? The majority of the active Y.S. will plump for the latter, and,sad to say, it seems likely that the majority of the functionarios, otc., will want the former. Because the Y.S. will become a spoarhoad. in tho fight for sosialist policies the left must —~ be. against any attempt to restrict the rights of the Y.S. On the other hand the Y.S. must integrate themselves at all levels within the Labour Party to make any punitive action more difficult.