Men of Principle

In a letter tg Tribune last week, Mr. Paul Rose, MP, declared his intention of not voting 8fther the Government White Paper on Immigration or antitrade union legislation. Thus he joins Eric Heffer and Sydney Silverman, who have also declared their intention of not voting for certain Government measures. Parliament has re“assembled this week and it is very likely that several other MPs will join. in this movement, An entirely new factor in the political set-up in Britain will have thus come into existence, What is the significance of this phencome:ion? What attitude should left wingers take towards it? The first thing to note is that these comrades who have taken this stand represent the real traditions and heritage of the Labour Party. No amount of guff about "rocking the boat" or letting the Tories back in, can obscure the fact that by opposing colour-bar inspired legislation they/acting in the spirit of Mr. Gaitskell's "Brotherhood of Man” amendment to Clause Fours neither can it obscure the fact that the Labour Party came into existence to defend trade unions not to nobble them. Every Labour MP should look at th question in this light, and they should realise that these comrades are also doing their best to ensure the possibility of the return of a fifth Labour Government, The second thing to note is that by making an open, public stand, these MPs are proving to the world at large that there is another aspect to the Labour Party. They are doing something to wipe out the shame of Mr. Wilson's first year, All over the world the people engaged in struggle against imperialism and other oppression will see these MPs as their representatives in Britain. By opposing the worst aspects of Mr. Wilson's policies these MPs will be giving direct and important encouragement to movements like tha American anti-Vietnam war demonstrators. But more has to be said: our men of principle will only become a political focus if they act in a co-ordinated way, along an agreed strategy and in a way in which they mobilise support both in and out of Parliament, This means not only clearing one's conscience but acting in a business-like manner, It also means something else: those of us outside of Parliament must give the maximum moral and practical support to our colleagues who have made the stand. Let us all work hard to achieve a position where, owing to an ever-increasing number of men of principle, Mr. Wilson's present right wing gallop is throw into disarray. In this process a new alternative leadership ot the Labour Party could be built. These are the issues. Those who do not support the men of principle will bear a heavy responsibility.