The US concern for the rise of the Leftist forces inside the UK Labor Party during the Thatcherian era

CIA Files

globinfo freexchange

In the newly released archive of 13 million pages by CIA, we found a report under the title UK: Election Prospects - What if Thatcher loses?, which was monitoring closely the rise of the Leftist forces inside the UK Labor Party, as well as, various electoral scenarios, for the 1983 UK general election, under which these forces could harm the US interests.

It appears that the main US concern was the rise of influence of the Leftist component inside the Labor Party, and therefore, the possible "relocation" of the party towards 'nuclear disarmament' positions. These specifically included cancellation of the Trident submarine program, rejection of the INF (Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces) deployment in the United Kingdom and the rest of Western Europe, freezing and closing of US nuclear bases in the United Kingdom, phaseout of the Polaris program.

Key parts:

• Even if the Conservative Party fades somewhat during the campaign, however, it probably will win the election with a sizable majority. Thatcher will thus be in a position to fulfill commitments on INF basing and other defense matters.
  
  
• Leftist forces within the Labor Party have increased their influence since 1979, and have been able to imprint their views on the party program. The last three party conferences, for example, endorsed unilateral nuclear disarmament by a larger margin each time and, in 1982, by a two-thirds vote that ensures its inclusion in Labor's program. 
   
• According to the conference resolution, Labor supports cancellation of the Trident submarine program; rejects INF deployment in the United Kingdom and the rest of Western Europe; favors a nuclear freeze and the closing of US nuclear bases in the United Kingdom, and supports the inclusion of British forces in arms control negotiations, aiming for an eventual phaseout of the Polaris program. Britain would, during the 4 to 5 year tenure of a Labor government, reject nuclear weapons in favor of a “non-nuclear defense strategy.”
  
  
• We believe that a majority Labor government, under pressure from the Left, probably would attempt to implement this program. The Left's position would be supported by Labor leader Foot, a long-time proponent of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament (CND) who continues to voice his support for its principles. In addition, changes in party rules would now enable leftists to force their policy views on Members of Parliament. According to the US Embassy even moderates in the party attack the Trident program as too expensive at a time of social spending cuts, call for the British to include their own nuclear forces in arms talks, and demand rejection of INF or at least a “dual key” system that would place US nuclear weapons in the UK under the joint control of London and Washington.
  
  
• Most disheartening from the standpoint of US interests are the public statements of Shadow Foreign Secretary and Deputy Party leader Denis Healey. Healey, who once said to the press he would not serve in a Labor government committed to unilateralism, has apparently decided to appease the left by publicly attacking US arms control policy, denouncing Trident, and denying he ever supported the NATO INF program. The press reports that Healey has said also that he does not in principle oppose ending Polaris or closing US bases, so long as it is done by negotiation with Washington and with the UK's allies. Healey's friends in the party argue to US Embassy officers that, despite this stance, he is hoping to “keep Britain's nuclear options open” - specifically to retain Polaris as long as possible and to keep US nuclear bases in the UK. To prevent or delay implementation of leftist policies, they maintain, he will count on pressure from the UK's allies and on the spinning out of negotiations over a period of years.
  
  
• Thatcher probably would first seek support from the Nothern Irish Unionist group, which will probably win about 12 seat in June. The Unionists would be interested mainly in the Irish question and probably would have few if any demands on foreign or defence policy. The Alliance, on the other hand, has demonstrated intense interest in foreign policy and defence issues in its election manifesto and could try to influence the Tories' policy if it held the balance power. It has been skeptical on INF deployment – although it does not dismiss this option outright – and could seek a delay pending the outcome of the Geneva talks. At press conferences and in talks with US Embassy officers SDP defense spokesman David Owen has called for a “dual key” requirement. The Alliance program indicates it also would call for the cancellation of Trident on grounds that it is too expensive.
  
  
• If Labor wins a plurality, it also could either try to rule from a minority position or negotiate the support of a small party – most likely the SDP-Liberal Alliance. The Alliance, which has indicated a willingness to throw its support to either the Tories or Labor, probably would try to work with the Labor right wing to revamp the policy of unilateral disarmament and to moderate the anti-American tinge of Labor policies. This would probably lead to bitter infighting in Labor ranks.

It is almost certain that today, the US intelligence will be monitoring closely Jeremy Corbyn, especially after taking the leadership of the Labor Party.