THE CLEAREST message coming from the successful National Tribunal for Women's Abortion Rights held on 29 January was the need for mass action to win the right of women to decide if and when to terminate pregnancy. Before and since the Tribunal, the National Abortion Campaign has worKca towards is Chu. rans are now well underway for a march, tolowca by an evening meeting al Central Hall, Westminster, Thursday 24 February - the day before the second reading of the restrictive Benvon Bill in ParliaYet at a time when a strong. united offensive against this latest threat to women's abortion rights needs to be urgently mounted, most organisations on the British left continue to drag their feet, relusing to take seriously their proclaimed commitment to abortion issue.
CONSISTENT Only the International Marxist Group has made a consistent commitment alongside the militants of NAC to the building of mass acH01 101 Tribunal itself reflected the failings of the other left organisations. Its success was despite these organisations, and in no way because of their efforts.
The Socialist Workers Party's journal Women's Voice claimed that NAC could not provide leadership for the abortion movement. It was necessary for wr totake icadersmip and orrer a socialist alternative. For a group concerned about taking leadership of the pro-choice movement, THOSE conso cuous Teame or ne SWP's impact at the Tribunal was Es absence.
Even the few members of the SWP who did attend the Tribuna failed miserably in providing any OCTS DECLIVCS All that independent aCLIVIStS attending the Iribunal were offered was a Women's Voice leaflet pointing to self-help as the for the abortion Callpal!
The SWP had argued that the abortion campaign on a national scale following -Ine around the positive perspectives it the impact of actions which the SWP OCUS.
The SWP's latest tactic in the fight for a socialist alternative is their call for their 'own' Onstraton. MUST NAC's march. Socialist (29 January) claims taken "because NAC seems to doing little mODHISC aware of NAC's plans well over a Tribunal month ago.
tact is, interested in what NAC is doing anu-sruc Its only interest is to build the new "party', even if this means dividing saw as a the pro-abortion movement.
According to Socialist Worker, dem- Magazine Branch aTTe voted support for the SWP's 25 Worker February wis step was tailed to mention that this resolu did ODDOSI marcl DUI the SWP is not Bon to ouncing une SuDDOrLeIs in me labour of NUJ They behind the the SWP the 3 April demo last year!
limited time.
WHICH TRAP International abortion forces.
disappears Photo: G.M. COOKSON (Red Weekly) built and that the SWP as part of the movement will at least have a platform to fight for their policies.
could have made an important contribu-campaign particularly through mobilising its Association is mOve ment. But the leadership of the CF leaflet issued by the CP was none -Issue other than that which appeared on Association has drafted. But this model Bill in no way gives women the complete right to decide! According to the new Bill, women have this right, but only for a In later periods of pregnancy, the right to decide somehow reveris back into une nanas or une medical profession. Surely any Bill Cans TO (Dea model should not compromise on one of abortion movement.
Morning Star also favourably reports progressive medical opinion' that 'the upper time limit for full month less than that allowed under the existing 1967 Act.
Because the Cr taus to under stand the fundamental politics of the abortion issue, it falls into the whole trap set by the anti-abortionists on foetal viability clauses.
experience has shown time and time again that the minute see wabia causes ar introduced into the law, this will be ine attacking area or tae ant will use these clauses to push back the limit on women's right to abortion until it effectively Whether or not women choose - on the basis of full and relevant information - to exercise their right to terminate a pregnancy even in its latest stages is secondary question. ine adornon movement must be based on a commitment to ward off any attempts to compromise, in law or in practice, on ine rign or ever woman to take the decision, when- IMG ever she deems it necessary. EMPHASIS The emphasis which the Morn ing Star has placed on the draft Bill Reform not surprising.
could be introduced is next autumn Bill, ALRA want to 'prepare public opinion' for it now. Tied to the coat tails of the left bureaucrats and to a hardened commitment to by the National Abortion Camp aign up to date. Nac Is committed to mass action to win women's abortion rights, not relying on left MPs who have only too readily in the campaign.
The response to the march called by NAC for 24 February, leaving from Bressenden Place. Victoria a 6pm, will provide a firm basis for building the 14 May demonstration, the next national action in the abortion campaign. Only through organising support for initiatives like these will the threat of the Benyon Bill be confronted.
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