06.10.2004

Back on the rails

Bill Keane reports from Aslef's annual assembly of delegates

On Monday September 27, in the bright autumn sunshine, the annual assembly of delegates (AAD) of the rail union, Aslef, assembled in Scarborough.

Just like those troops about to ‘jump off’ in countless battles, there was a marked mood of apprehension. This was magnified by the scrum of TV and press reporters taking a day off from Labour in order to witness the expected bloodletting, as the ‘Brady Gang’ clashed with the executive committee. This was billed as the ‘big fight’ that would see the EC humiliated and dismissed general secretary Sean Brady and former assistant GS Mick Blackburn reinstated, to be hoisted triumphant around the streets of Scarborough.

The press were, however, to be disappointed. Delegates made it abundantly clear by large majorities that they were having no truck with those who would conspire to bring Aslef down. As conference proceeded, day by day the delegates became more united in that endeavour and by the end had wrested Aslef away from the bureaucratic factions and returned it to the members.

The Kelly report, following the investigation into Aslef’s affairs by Matthias Kelly QC, was adopted with the EC instructed to bring forward the necessary rule changes and a report to a recalled AAD, possibly in February 2005. The AAD extended apologies to Mick Rix and his partner, Debbie Dwight, for the unfounded and damaging allegations made by Brady and his supporters. The Manchester Piccadilly delegate, when moving the vote of thanks to Kelly, referred to the unprecedented attack and conspiracy against Aslef launched by the train operating companies (TOCs) in cahoots with the Labour Party and government. He ended by warning the TOCs that had tried to take advantage that “Aslef is back”.

The conference went on to debate a motion from Oxford calling for a 50% cut in contributions to Labour and for the other 50% to be used to fund parties that “actively promote ideas that are in line with union policy and aims”. This predictably put the Labourites into apoplexy - they warned of dark consequences and the threat of Aslef being thrown out of Labour, just like the main rail union, the RMT. This, of course, could well have been the eventual result, had the motion been passed. As it was, it went down by 35 votes to 40 - an extremely close call and a remarkable turnaround from last year. As in other unions, it gives notice to the leadership that members are not going to continue to support Labour indefinitely, as the ‘people’s party’ continues to attack working people.

The problem with the motion, however, was that it did not offer any alternative to Labour - there is nothing of substance to turn to. Delegates could point to the Scottish Socialist Party with its six MSPs, but nothing south of the border. Respect does not come close and was barely mentioned. This failure has to be placed at the door of the so-called ‘revolutionary left’, who cling lemming-like to their various sects.

The Socialist Workers Party, with its sabotage of the Socialist Alliance, has to bear the greatest responsibility. Had the SA been allowed to develop into an SSP, then surely the motion would have been won.