Discussion Not Violence

One of the very positive aspects of the tradition of the British working class is a respect for democracy, and the right of people to put their point of view. We have received very alarming reports that indicate that this tradition is in danger of being broken, People have been threatened for selling publications and at least one person has gone to hospital to receive treatment as a result nf a beating up, This must be stamped out immediately. The Week makes the following points: (1) Every organisation on the left must condemn violence as a method of settling political differences; (2) Organisations must discipline their members if they take part in attacks on other left-wingers; (3) The left as a whole must protect sellers of literature from attacks - we will not tolerate the fascists using strong arm methods, still less should tolerate people who call themselves left-wingers using these methods; and (4) There must be an indpendent enquiry into all events of this kind, staffed by independent socialists of integrity to ascertain the truth. Those who refuse to support the above demands will stand condemned.