Thatcher's flagship hits the rocks women's movement.
In our association we put forward the idea that, despite common problems,
THE FIGURES speak for themselves. A parliamentary by-election in women do not experience repression in
Mid-Staffordshire on March 22 saw a Conservative majority of 14,600 the same way regardless of their social position. Even if this aspect of our work converted into a Labour majority of 9,400 — a swing to Labour of appears rather propagandist, we are there-
21%, the biggest in a by-election since 1935, and sufficient to fore trying to bring together working class guarantee a Labour majority in Parliament of over 200 seats if women. The task for us today is to conrepeated at a general election. To underline the point, an opinion poll struct a democratic movement of women who know how to react to their concrete in the Observerof March 25 reported a Labour lead over the problems regarding political, social and
Conservatives across the country of 28%, the highest figure cultural equality, which is not just a juridirecorded since polling began. Whilst a number of factors account cal matter.
At a time when the fundamentalists for the current unpopularity of the Thatcher government, one issue threaten the few gains that women have, in particular has come to the fore as a focus for popular anger at its the women's movement that we need to policies — the introduction of the "Poll Tax" as a new basis for the create is one that knows how to reach financing of local government. In recent weeks, over 100,000 people women who are often illiterate or do not know the content of the laws and most of in Britain have participated in public protests as local councils met their rights.
to set the rates at which the Poll Tax would have to be paid. As anger
After the different women's mobilizations, the fundamentalists have been comspilled over into violence, politicians united with the media in pelled to recognize that women do have denouncing the "Trotskyist agitators" alleged to be inciting the problems. They responded by an assembly of more than 50,000 people, many fewer than they announced or hoped for.
Some women participated voluntarily, but many were taken there by force by their male "guardians". The women's coordination has also obliged some democratic structures to react and defend women.
It is necessary to explain to people that the fundamentalists' aim is above all political, for confusion reigns both among women and the masses as a whole. There is a confusion between a cultural element and fanaticism in the service of political goals. Women must not be alone in this fight, as they have been for the past months. A more profound response is needed today, drawing in other forces.
This is what is taking place with the For-
Liberties, which um brings together trade unions, including the
National Union of Autonomous and Demwomen's ocratic organizations, the Assembly of Intellectuals and Scientists (RAIS — organized by the PAGS) and certain parties including the Front of Socialist Forces (FFS — liberal organization, mainly Berber) the PST and the PAGS. The Forum is trying to equip itself with a democratic platform, but this is not enough for women. They need much more precise answers.
In the coming years the women's movement will be a test of all the problems of