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It was hoped that this conference would show a positive development in the theory and organization of the Women's Lib movement but the opposite happened. The Conference presented a very true picture of the movement which is at a stage of fragmentation and incoherence rather than reflecting some sort of political advance since the Ruskin Conference.
One of the most important things which emerged from the Conference was that the structure of the W.N.C.C. however satisfactory at its formation, was clearly undemocratic and unrepresentative of the W.L. movement at this present time. The groups involved in the W.N.C.C. meetings at which the format of the conference was decided had different ideas from the groups who eventually turned up. Consequently dissatisfaction with the agenda arose very soon and by Saturday afternoon, about half the women had formed their own small work-shops after the alienating atmosphere of the large seminars in the morning. By Saturday evening the original programme of the Conference had been abandoned in the face of such obvious hostility to it, and a general session in which all the groups had a chance to speak on their ideas for the rest of the Conference. From this emerged the Sunday morning workshops on whatever topics people were prepared to talk on, and a general session in the afternoon.
2222 The range of topics on Sunday morning covered the four campaigns, Lesbianism, Sexuality and the future of the W.N.C.C. The last session of the conference was the most constructive one. From the events of the Conference it was obvious that a new structure would have to be set up. Although it was decided at the W.N.C.C. that no voting would take place, the Conference over-ruled this so it was voted to abolish the W.N.C.C. A regional structure was cot up instead of the W.N.C.C. because it was felt that more people could get to regional meetings and would be able to participate more in the decisions made. Each region is to arrange meetings in their locality between now and March, to discuss national organization and local campaigns. It is hoped that in March another national conference will be held at which some more progress as far as national organization of the W.L. movement can be made. It is clear from the outcome of this Conference that the apparent agreement in the W.L. movement which was sometimes seen at W.N.C.Cs does not exist in reality. Among all the groups which attended the Conference there are real disagreements over theoretical issues such as the nature of women's oppression and the way to achieve liberation as well as over organization and function of a national Women's Lib. movement. It is to be hoped that over the next three months, groups can thoroughly discuss all these issues in their regiors, and that the next national conference, a coherent programme and organization can emerge. Otherwise the W.L. as a movement is going to collapse in the near future although no doubt individual groups will continue to flourish.
Wanda Mariuszko 5992222222