Letter

Labour Club debate

Sir—While I am not at present a student, I would like to contribute to the debate on the Labour Party.

Reading the replies—such as they are—to Owen Gager's comments, I was amazed by their stubborn defence of the outworn and shop-soiled legalism which has been the ideological basis of time Labour Party since (because ?) it became respectable. Inside the Labour Party the progressive ideas and drive of yourth will leave no more trace than a river swallowed by a desert.

The readiness of Mr. Gager's opponents to descend to personal abuse indicates the role they play—of necessity—inside the Labour Party. It should be clear by now that on SEATO, at least, they have been sold a pup. The Labour Party is buying student and other young votes at the cheap cost of the illusion of power.

Independence from party politics is esential to growth of the dynamic student movement which alone can secure student demands. And judging from the events in france, Germany and Italy, the effect a student movement could have on the political life of this country is incalculable.