Who makes Labour Party policy?

Ray Gunter in his Chairmants address to the Labour Party Conference, made special reference to the difference in outlook, constitution, character and functions between the National Executive Committee and the Party Conference $ and the Cabinet and a Labour Government. He claimed one body could not dictate to the other and he would not have it otherwise, He then proceeded to use his position as Chairman of the Conference to, in collaboration with Chairman of the Conference Arrangements Committee, use every possible artifice to ensure Conference gave an uncritical endorsement to every action and decision of the Labour ‘Yovernment. Moreover, Cabinet Ministers on the Executive Committee completely abrogated their responsibilities to the B.C, of the Labour Party and, in some instances, their om individual convictions to their responsibilities as Ministers of the Crow, Herein lies the key to most of the conflicts over policy between the suppor= ters of socialist principles and those who accept responsibility for the administration of a capitalist state. Over the centuries, in the develop= ment of the capitalist system, the state has built up an elaborate machine to defend and further the basic principles on which our capitalist society has been established. These basic principles are in direct conflict with the basic principles of a socialist system of society outlined in Clause Four of the Constitution of the Labour Party. Ray Gunter then went on to claims "The Labour Party exists as a Party so that we may progress towards a socialist society - and for that we must have a Labour Government," This claim is very muh open to question. It is my opinion that the Labour Party has been built up by people who suvppor= ted this claim and this principle has been embodied in the rules of mos trade unions, but precept and practice are very much at variance in this matter. We have reached a stage in the history of the people of this country when socialists must carefully and coolly examine for what purpose the Labour Party is being used today. Spontaneous reaction to frustration and individual "last . ditch" stands provide no solution to the very real problems confronting socialists in the Labour Party today. On the other hand, unless the "left" - which I prefer to call.socialists - can translate abstract principles into action based on common ground and provide a leadership which will give inspiration and hope to the great number of frustrated and despondent rank and filers in the Labour Movement, the Labour Party will exist to facilitate conditions favourable to the development of a capitalist Corporate state. As a first step towards a revival and a socialist Labour Party, all the people who collaborated in the production of Briefing at the Labour Party Conference should again get together to initiate a wider campaign for unity and action in a socialist crusade to develop/real socialist leaven inside the Labour Party. * Chairman, Hillsborough (Sheffield) C.L.P.