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Labour Left Briefing is a... "Scurrilous, sometimes funny, very hard-left magazine supported by Liz Davies...The magazine has Trotskyist links, but insists that it is not an entryist organisation." -- The Gaurdian 26th March 1996

In fact LLB is an independent voice and forum for socialist ideas in the Labour Party and trade unions. It is managed by an editorial board elected at its AGM. Both EBs and the AGM are open to all supporters. We are happy to offer a right of reply to all members of the labour movement and we welcome criticisms and contributions.

All the articles in LLB reflect solely the opinions of the authors, writing in a personal capacity, unless otherwise stated.

The following where we stand statment was agreed at the 1996 LLB AGM. Two resolutions were put to the LLB AGM in 1997, the AGM refered them to the Editorial Board for a composite resolution to be agreed. As soon as the text of this composite is available it will be put up here.

Where we stand

In the face of Tony Blair's campaign against socialism it is important for the labour movement left to re-examine and reaffirm our view of socialism. This is doubly necessary in a world where capitalism believes it has a won a final victory over socialism with the collapse of Stalinism in Eastern Europe. Under the weight of this dual offensive many socialists are experiencing a crisis of confidence in their socialist views. Our goal is the creation of a socialist society by the mass movement of workers and other oppressed sections of society. Under capitalism the rule of private profit and the market has led to the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer. We want a society run in the interests of the vast majority not the present system which is run in the interests of the tiny minority who own and control the wealth in society.

• LLB believes that in the struggle for socialism we need a labour movement which fights for socialist policies and is democratically controlled by the rank and file. Even though Labour is led by probably its most right wing leader ever and will have a 'soft on capitalism, soft on the causes of capitalism' manifesto, LLB will campaign vigorously for a Labour victory. After 17 years of Tory Government, the working class needs a Labour Government. At the same time we will continue to advocate and campaign for socialist policies.
  Today Tony Blair benefits from the overwhelming desire of working people for a Labour Government. The Labour leadership is getting an easy ride because the labour movement wants a Labour Government at all costs. This mood is likely to change with the election of a Labour Government. Gradually workers will demand Labour stands by the movement that put it into government.
  The Blair leadership's approach is based on the premise that Labour must distance itself from the unions and jettison any policies which don't have the backing of big business and the City. Basic policies such as full employment, a minimum wage, a comprehensive welfare state, a decent education system, a properly funded NHS and improved public services command widespread support.
• LLB is committed to building the broadest possible alliances to defend the basic structures and policies of the labour movement from the Blairites.
• LLB believes that the struggle for socialism is also an international struggle. We will continue to open our pages to international struggles for liberty and equality. Specifically LLB aims to be a journal of solidarity with the struggles of the international workers' movement. This year, the creation of a Labor Party in the United States was one of the most positive developments and we will continue to give extensive coverage and support to this movement.
• LLB is a socialist journal with a strong labour movement orientation. At the same time we promote all campaigns for equality and justice. LLB will support all struggles against exploitation and oppression whether by the organised labour movement or by unorganised sections of society. LLB seeks to turn the labour movement out to these struggles and simultaneously to bring these struggles and campaigns into the labour movement. The struggle for socialism will only be successful if the workers movement takes up the fight against all forms of discrimination and for equal rights for all regardless of gender, race, sexuality, disability or nationality. LLB is a journal open to many different types of socialists. LLB prides itself on its non- sectarian editorial policy. LLB is committed to open democratic debate and respect for political differences. We welcome and encourage the involvement of all labour movement non-sectarian socialists in LLB.
  We do not counterpose LLB to broader left unity. It is necessary and essential to campaign for broader alliances of all sections of the labour movement for basic welfare state policies and to protect the structures of the labour movement. In particular LLB seeks to campaign alongside the Socialist Campaign Group of MPs and to promote and build the network of local Campaign Groups.
• LLB is a non-sectarian labour movement socialist journal. It is more than just a journal; it is also a network of labour movement activists. We don't have a Murdoch or a Maxwell to fund us. We rely on the backing of individual socialists and labour movement activists. The publication is democratically controlled by an editorial board elected by the Annual General Meeting.

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Updated on 30 January 1998