Home Office minister Straw has announced plans to compell the oil companies to break any new blockade that the protesters may set up in the near future.
At its short lived height, there were indications, admittedly not entirely clear, that there were certain progressive signs in the fuel action. It is regrettable that more people didnt give their own local reports, for we would have a better picture. We noted black /white solidarity, and there were mainstream media reports of the expulsion of right wing elements from the pickets, and a move in Purfleet AGAINST the policy of the oil companies.
So why did the trades unions fail to support it, indeed, condemn it ? John Monks, TUC spokesman, even went to compare it to the toppling of Allende in Chile (1973). But, if this was a pro-capitalist strike, why has the Financial Times itself condemned the action as "absurd and unjustified? ". Are not the trades unions following a pro employer approach in their partnership deals, much praised in the same conference ? Who is innocent here ?
Since the defeat of the miners strike in 1984, largely the fault of the Labour party by way of Kinnock's refusal to support it, leftists have only been able to mount scattered resistance, as we know ! If the transport unions had found some formula to come out if not in direct support of the fuel tax protest, then, a kind of parallel action pursuing thier own demands , they could have re established their independence and won a few concessions from Labour, telling them that their loyalty is not unconditional.
This might have been their last chance, for the measures Straw talks of will be used against unions too.