EN Labour Party officials in West London— including three
Hammersmith councillors—have caused a political rumpus by backing a new committee which hopes to send volunteers to North Vietnam to help in the ‘struggle against American imperialism.”
This strong support for the Vietcong, and total condemnation of the Americans, ‘has infuriated RoreT’! menagement commit-
tee certain senior Labour Party officers in the area. They = The other four Labour Party fe: sly he officials named by Mr Nielson ar it might seriously harm the party image. are oMcials in Barons Court, One said this week: “This sort They are of thing can do us nothing but workers. who can help rebusd Ron Burne, executive comharm. It just tends to divide the the countrs Our new committee mitiee member and secretary party on a very explosive issue. cipports just the one side.” of Grove Ward: George “We all want the war to end. Referring to backing from Collinson, constituency finan- But my colleagues won't achicve local Labour Party — officials, cial secretary. und secretary of this by giving outright and active Mr Nielson said “We have Young Socialists; Mary Hutchsupport to the Vietcong.” strong support from North ison, excculive committee The new organisation, — tlic Hammersmith and Barons Court member, and secretary of Hammersmith Vietnam Solid- constitiencies ” Avonmere Ward; Alan BKinarity Committee, was formed thts So fur no officials from Fulham «chin, — constituency: treasurer, month to replace the loci ire among those who back the ant chairman of Grove Ward.
ar Peace ‘noevement n an attemp' ‘o gain support, te Sa eer, Mr. Nielson revealed that six the local, Solidarity Committee “The Peace Council was not North Hammersmith Labour plans to cicuisise churches, achieving its aims, in my Party officials —inciuding three youth organis. fons, trade
, ormer secre: counrillors--nave pledged them- union branches, the Co-operative es: oy hh a trade selves to support the Solidartty movement. and political parties. , Committee. They are Mr. Nielson outlined the aims s oe disbanded and the Cllr Alan. Breeze, constitu- ofthe Solidartt.: Campaign: ; Solidarity Committee was formed ency treasurer; Clir. Melvyn Oo Solidarits bs “uh ppg on We will be associated with Sitverman, — member of execu- Liberation Fron in Ls i ; “7 the Vietnam Solidarity Cam- tive commiitier, and secretary cratic Republic of ietnam paign, whose president is of College Park and Old Oak their resistance to American Bert usse ll.” : rc - alism
i. Ward: Cllr. Charies Van Geld imperia ' agence hopes in send — eren. -~omber of executive .. @ The defeat of this vicious 7 teers to aid the ‘ emit tee aggression aoe, Gaining “tne phrase Ciena Cogenn, member of the @ The withdrawal of American Mr Nielson said) “It does no! onsuehey’s general manage: forces, weapons or ee
rt uke ment committee, Alan Martin, the triumph of tne at : that. Ee ee ie sitive committee member Liberation Front and the Demo- 2 “we are referring ‘> such and secretary of Starch Green cratic Republic over their people as Skilled technicians Ward. Pat Jordan, member of oppressors.
Shortly after this report appeared (which is thought by local ac— tivists to have had the aim of stimulating a witch-hunt) the chairman and acting secretary of the Hammersmith North C.L.P. issued a press statement dissociating the party from the new committee. They stated that the policy of the V.5.C.. 18 not only aginst the Labour Party policy but against the North Hammersmith's policy also. Supporters of Hammersmith V.S.C. report that since its formation — many new supporters - individuals and organisations - have been gained.