06.03.1997

SLP branch under threat

Vauxhall Constituency Socialist Labour Party, already hit by the ‘voiding’ of Barry Biddulph, one of its most active members (see Weekly Worker February 27), appears now to be threatened with closure itself. We reproduce below correspondence between Arthur Scargill and Kirstie Paton, branch secretary of the CSLP

Dear Kirstie Paton

I acknowledge receipt of your letter dated January 31 1997 informing me that the Vauxhall Constituency SLP branch has selected a parliamentary candidate for the Vauxhall constituency and also attaching a motion on what you describe as “Need for an appeals procedure”.

I attach copies of what is described as a “draft election manifesto” for the Vauxhall Constituency Socialist Labour Party and a “Socialist manifesto”, which I understand is being used and adhered to in the Vauxhall area.

I want to make it absolutely clear that:

1. No Constituency Socialist Labour Party has the right to stand in a parliamentary election without the authority of the National Executive Committee.

2. No Constituency Socialist Labour Party has the right to adopt or advocate policies or manifestos which are in conflict with the Socialist Labour Party’s policy document and constitution.

3. I require an immediate explanation as to the reasoning behind these documents - who has written them, and is the ‘Vauxhall Constituency Socialist Labour Party’ recognised by the party and does it approve of any or all of the documentation attached to this letter.

I am aware after reading a letter from Ian Driver that he has made clear that he supports and abides by the constitution of the Socialise Labour Pany, in which case he would not be in a position to support the ‘daft policies’ contained in the material attached to this letter.

Could you please let me have a response by return so that I can determine what action to take.

Yours sincerely
Arthur Scargill
general secretary
February 20 1997

Dear Arthur Scargill

I received your letter of February 20 1997.

I also want to make it “absolutely clear” that:

1. Vauxhall Constituency’s selection of Ian Driver (a sitting councillor) to contest the general election was properly carried out pursuant to clause XII (8) of the party constitution, which clearly states: “The Constituency Party shall be responsible for selecting candidates to contest any Regional, Parliamentary or European election.”

2. Every member of the SLP and every CSLP has a perfect right to “adopt’’ any policies it wishes and to “advocate” them in the party. This is an elementary democratic procedure which is not proscribed by the constitution.

3. The documents enclosed with your letter are policy proposals from individual party members. To date none of them has been voted on or adopted by the branch.

4. Vauxhall Constituency SLP was established on December 12 1996 in accordance with clause XII (1) of the party constitution. It is recognised by the party, as is evidenced by the notice in Socialist Labour Information of December 23 1996.

Yours sincerely
Kirstie Paton
constituency secretary
February 21 1997