Demonstrators at Blackpool

There were four big demonstrations during the conference week at Blackpool. In each case we had the position of workers demonstrating against their "own" party because of the policies of the Government. The first, that by bread roundsmen, has had plenty of publicity so it is only necessary to note it briefly. The most important aspect of this demonstration was the chanting by the demonstrators thet they "would vote for the others next time." This again underlines the fact that workers when they become disillusioned by right wing social democracy do not, as certain mechnical marxists predict, automatically become left wing, They will only do so if they see some organisation which offers to them a perspective of successful struggle. The next to demonstrate were 40-odd workers from the Darlington locomotive works. They were protesting against the decision, announced the Friday before the conference, to close down their works, In a statement by the Works Council they saids "The Prime Minister has said that railway shops are to be allowed to tender for commercial contracts, We agree = but what good will his be if the Railway Board continues to close the workshops? Our workshop, threatened by Beeching's axe since 1962, is now to close in Kpril,"1966. Eight months ago, our case was put to the Transport Minister and the Railway Board. Suspension of closure and a full enquiry was requested. No answer to our case has been given, If the Minister of Transport will not revoke the decision, then the Prime flinister must intervene. The