Editorial - Leadership chop and change. What about policy?
Extreme right-wing sections of the Labor Party have not given up their
ambition to replace Simon Crean with the two-times loser, Kim Beazley as
leader of the Labor Party.
The results of polling commissioned by the extreme right-wing leadership
of the NSW Branch of the ALP and published earlier this week are being
used to frighten Labor MHRs in marginal seats that they will lose if
Simon Crean remains leader. While Simon Crean has consistently failed to
excite support, his replacement by Kim Beazley would signal the return
of the most pro-US and reactionary elements to the top positions in the ALP.
Kim Beazley again indicated his pro-US position last week when he urged
the US not to withdraw its forces from its bases in the Asian region.
Beazley is not the Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs for the Labor
Party but this did not prevent him from signalling his pro-US position.
Beazley would do even less to take up the major economic and social
issues that affect the Australian people. He would also abandon any
differentiation between the Liberal Party and the Labor Party on foreign
affairs issues. Beazley is prepared to play the same deputy sheriff role
to the US Government, as does Howard. It should not be forgotten that
Kim Beazley as Labor Party leader went along with the Howard
Government's racist and lying policies towards refugees. It was his
failure to differentiate the Labor Party from the Liberal Party on this
issue that helped to lose the 2001 election for the Labor Party.
However, any number of leadership changes, whether Bob Carr, Peter
Beattie, Wayne Swan or Kevin Rudd (another extreme right-winger), cannot
solve the real problems that face the Labor Party.
More than one hundred years of history, in which a number of Labor Party
governments have held office, show conclusively that the Labor Party is
merely an alternative capitalist Party. It limits its policies to some
relatively small reforms within the capitalist system. It never
challenges the power of the corporations whose interests determine the
economic and social policies implemented by governments whether Liberal
or Labor.
Rather than maintain and fight for working class principles the Labor
Party's leaders, almost without exception, have adopted a "pragmatic"
philosophy that justifies their endless compromises with the class rule
of the big business end of town. This has resulted in the main policies
of the Labor Party and the Liberal Party becoming virtually identical.
This is becoming more and more obvious as the economic and social crisis
of capitalism intensifies. Their mission is to save capitalism.
It is this reality that led the Communist Party to call for the adoption
of policies that are based on the social and economic needs of the
working people and for a new type of government - a people's government
- determined to implement such policies.
The CPA has recently published a booklet entitled, A proposal for a
People's Government and a new direction in Canberra. The booklet says:
"Many see the need for vast improvements in our public education, health
and transport. Many are aware that there is a dire need for the creation
of real jobs for people who are struggling on inadequate and often
difficult to obtain social security benefits.
"The People's Government concept puts the people before the interests of
the big corporations. We argue that this crucial measure will open the
way to winning a better way of life for the vast majority of the people
in Australia."
Many might ask: It this possible or is it a pipe dream? The booklet
says, "A broad democratic movement which unites all left and progressive
parties, trade unions, community organisations and progressive
individuals is needed to build the momentum for a new type of government."
We saw this type of movement in action against the war in Iraq when huge
demonstrations took to the streets. Why not have similar movements to
support Medicare, public education, jobs, environmental protection and
for a new type of government that supports such policies? That is the
way forward!
A proposal for a People's Government, $2.50 including postage from 65
Campbell Street, Surry Hills. NSW 2010.
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