SLP update

Individual members of the SLP as well as branches are entitled to send resolutions to its congress on May 4. Entry to the congress is open to individuals rather than delegates, as it is felt that representative branch structures will not be in place by then. The deadline for resolutions is March 29.
Leading members of the SLP steering committee have expressed surprise at the strength of objections to the proposed constitution for the new party - not simply from established organisations, but also from non-aligned individual members. This may prompt a re-think and a debate on the constitution before 1997, the proposed date when constitutional questions can be addressed. In particular, there is disquiet amongst some leading SLPers about the ‘one-year residence’ qualification for membership. But to open the debate on this would open discussion on the constitution as a whole - something they are still wary of.
News reaches us that the district treasurer of East London Socialist Workers Party has left the organisation and joined the Socialist Labour Party. He has told people informally that he is not alone, that “more are to follow”. There is no doubt that the SWP is watching developments around the SLP with some trepidation.