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. **************************************************************************** -- -- Leftlink - Australia's Broad Left Mailing List mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Archived at http://www.cat.org.au/lists/leftlink/ Sponsored by Melbourne's New International Bookshop Sub: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsub: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]