The British Labour Movement

The British Labour Movement and Ireland The Birmingham bombings caused a major setback for those fighting within the British working class for an end to the oppression of Ireland by British imperialism. Militants associated with Irish solidarity work were threatened and ostracized in the reaction to the bombings; fascist groups like the National Front gained a golden opportunity to build on anti-lrish chauvinism, and Labour MPs who had publicly supported the demands of the Troops Out Movement retreated from their positions.

But the work done over the years by Left-Wing organisations and the Troops Out Movement has made significant inroads into the Labour movement, and has developed a consciousness within the working class that has by no means been destroyed by the reaction to.the Birmingham bombings. it has been stressed by papers of the revolutionary Left and in the intervention of far-Left organisations that Ireland is of immediate concern to the British working class, in that it is the keystone for the forces moving towards the strong State in Britain.

In a front page editorial, The Journal, official Paper of the Birmingham Trades Council, comments: “The dogs of war are straining at the lead. What a sad commentary on public opinion when the impact of two bombs in Birmingham draws more publicity and comment than the whole sad Story of . Northern treland since the savage breaking-up of a peaceful Civil Rights march in 1969.

“The policy of this paper has been consistent throughout, and will remain so. A Policy of reconciliation based on negotiation. The emergency powers must be the very last stage of escalation. We have six months to the renewal of those powers -beyond that point will be the point of no return to anarchy, chaos and civil war in these islands. lreland is being raised. longer.”

Many organisations are moving to build resistance to the Jenkins Act. In some instances (e.g. National Council for Civil Liberties, the Communist Party, the Workers Revolutionary Party) the fight is based primarily or even solely on the question of civil rights within Britain. But in other cases, the whole question of Britain‘s role in “Troops put in by Britain can only be taken out by Britain. As an earnest of a belief in reconciliation and ultimate final settlement, the Labour government must announce soon the first date for a phased withdrawal - colonialism ends here. Th Labour movement can ensure that programme by mounting a massive campaign for peace. It is working class people who are dying, it is working class people who will continue to die unless, as of now, we refuse to be puppets any