24.10.1996

Tony Goss unleashed

SL Kenning looks at latest developments in the Socialist Labour Party

Democrats in the SLP will be shocked to hear that Tony Goss has been appointed to oversee all election work in London in the run-up to the general election. Comrade Brian Heron curtly informed his East London and Essex branch of the news at its October 14 meeting. There was some concern expressed, to say the least, that comrade Goss would be addressing the next branch meeting in the capacity of election supremo.

We have had occasion over the last couple of months to report on the harmful doings of comrade Goss in South London. Given that he has just been handed London-wide responsibilities and powers, it is vital to give comrades ammunition - a précis of this man’s record over the last decade. It makes sorry reading.

Goss was a Southwark Labour councillor in the 1980s. During that time many accusations were levelled against him. In part this was the result of the left-right war in the Labour Party bureaucratic machine. In part however it was undoubtedly due to Goss’s corrupted Labourite personality and an inability to rationally deal with political criticism and differences. He was in other words an easy target, if not a walking disaster.

In 1986 Goss was implicated in the Nye Bevan Lodge scandal by a confidential report. Elderly residents of the Southwark-run home - used by Labour councillors, Goss included, as a late night drinking den - suffered abuse by staff. The Labour council did a cover-up. Goss was later caught doing an illegal house swap with another Labour councillor. Then there was the loss/theft of several thousand pounds from the Southwark Labour club. Goss was implicated.

In 1987 Goss was finally expelled from the Labour Party after a 12-month national executive enquiry. The charge - threatening and intimidating behaviour and assaults upon Labour Party members. Once out of the Labour Party, Goss formed his own ‘Independent Labour Party’ along with a few cronies. He edited Labour Lion, a pro-Millwall football club fanzine, which campaigned against the travellers’ site in Peckham.

In the SLP Goss has had an equally controversial time, particularly in the South London branch, which appointed and then voted him down as chair. Removing him took two months because, as a reliable anti-communist, he is supported by our dark forces in the national leadership. Obviously he thought he could act with impunity. That is why at the September 12 branch meeting he actually refused to accept a majority decision to continue debating the future of the branch. Despite his ruling there was a two-thirds plus vote against him.

Goss saw red. Indignant with rage, he stormed out. While so doing the comrade proceeded to “loudly and aggressively swear and abuse those present”. Later, having returned, “he physically threatened comrade Adrian. Members of the meeting had to intervene to prevent what may have been a physical assault on comrade Adrian taking place” (report submitted to NEC by comrades Ian Driver, Allan Gibson and Paul Ward - see Weekly Worker September 26 1996).

Both comrades Patrick Sikorski and Brian Heron attended the October 10 meeting in an attempt to save Goss with hypocritical pleas for “democracy” and “fairness”. They miserably failed. Goss was removed as chair by an overwhelming and crushing 21 votes to six (the minority including his wife, Ann Goss, and the Fiscite, Helen Drummond). There was also a vote to demand that Goss apologise to the branch for his outrageous behaviour. Though his masters, Sikorski and Heron, did their best to sweep the matter under the carpet by presenting a motion calling for it to be referred to the NEC. Goss lost that vote too, 14 to 10, and was forced to eat humble pie. “If that is the wish of the meeting, I apologise” (see Weekly Worker October 17 1996).

Their thug was restrained in South London. Now the Fiscties have unleashed him upon the whole of London. Be warned.