Most who campaigned to retain the existing version of Clause IV did not object to modernising the language, but feared that a rewrite would be an excuse to water down principles.

The existing version was too wordy, its language too archaic, we were told. Furthermore, examples were given of modern issues that it did not address. Clause IV was an obstacle to electoral success. We needed a cleaner, leaner, modern version.

Brian Wilson produced a short and watery version, but even that spoke of promoting common ownership. Trustingly, out of desperation for power after years of Tory rule, conferences voted to ditch Clause IV without knowing what would replace it.

When the new version eventually appeared, it was clear that the baby was to be ditched with the linguistic bathwater. The new version was also longer, addressed many of the modern issues obliquely if at all, and was anything but clear - countless column inches were devoted to discussions about its interpretation.

Alternative versions were circulated, such as the one shown below, which added a modern socialist perspective to the principles of the original. But there was no room for compromise. The failure to reject an unknown quantity had guaranteed the passage of whatever words the victors cared to scribble on the back of an envelope...

Clause IV
- the original version

National

1. To organise and maintain in parliament and in the country a political Labour Party

2. To cooperate with the General Council of the Trades Union Congress, or other kindred organisations, in joint political or other action in harmony with the party constitution and standing orders.

3. To give effect as far as possible to the principles from time to time approved by the party conference.

4. To secure for the workers by hand or by brain the full fruits of their industry and the most equitable distribution thereof that may be possible upon the basis of the common ownership of the means of production, distribution, and exchange, and the best obtainable system of popular administration and control of each industry or service.

5. Generally to promote the political, social and economic emancipation of the people, and more particularly of those who depend directly upon their own exertions by hand or by brain for the means of life.

Inter-Commonwealth

6. To cooperate with the labour and socialist organisations in the commonwealth overseas with a view to promoting the purposes of the party, and to take common action for the promotion of a higher standard of social and economic life for the working population of the respective countries.

International

7. To cooperate with the labour and socialist organisations in other countries and to support the United Nations and its various agencies and other international organisations for the promotion of peace, the adjustment and settlement of international disputes by conciliation or judicial arbitration, the establishment and defence of human rights, and the improvement of the social and economic standards and conditions of work of the people of the world.

272 words

2. To cooperate with trade union, consumer, voluntary and other campaigning organisations in joint political or other action, in harmony with the party's standing orders, constitution and policies.

3. To implement policies approved by party conference, in accordance with Clause V of the party's constitution.

4. To extend democratic power and secure for the people the full fruits of their industry, and the most equitable distribution thereof, that may be possible on the basis of the common ownership of the means of production, distribution and exchange, enabling the people to decide upon the most appropriate means of organising and administering our economic institutions and each industry or service.

5. To promote political freedom, social justice and the economic emancipation of the people, through full employment and the provision of high quality, accessible education, leisure and other services. In these and all other spheres, we shall oppose discrimination based on gender, race, creed, disability, sexuality or other such grounds.

6. To cooperate with labour and socialist organisations in Europe and elsewhere, to promote the purposes of the party, and in particular to take common action against fascism and racism, and for the promotion of a higher standard of social, economic and environmental well being throughout the world.

7. To support the United Nations Organisation and its various agencies and other international organisations for the promotion of peace, the peaceful resolution of international disputes; and to defend and extend human rights at home and abroad, based on internationally recognised treaties.

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Labour's aims and values

1. The Labour Party is a democratic socialist party. It believes that by the strength of our common endeavour, we achieve more than we achieve alone so as to create for each of us the means to realise our true potential and for all of us a community in which power, wealth and opportunity are in the hands of the many not the few, where the rights we enjoy reflect the duties we owe, and where we live together, freely, in a spirit of solidarity, tolerance and respect.

2. To these ends we work for:

• a dynamic economy, serving the public interest, in which the enterprise of the market and the rigour of competition are joined with the forces of partnership and co-operation to produce the wealth the nation needs and the opportunity for all to work and prosper, with a thriving public sector and high quality services, where those undertakings essential to the common good are either owned by the public or accountable to them;

• a just society, which judges its strength by the condition of the weak as much as the strong, provides security against fear, and justice at work; which nurtures families, promotes equality of opportunity and delivers people from the tyranny of poverty, prejudice and the abuse of power;

• an open democracy, in which government is held to account by the people; decisions are taken as far as practicable by the communities they affect; and where fundamental human rights are guaranteed;

• a healthy environment, which we protect, enhance and hold in trust for future generations.

3. Labour is committed to the defence and security of the British people, and to cooperating in European institutions, the United Nations, the Commonwealth and other international bodies to secure peace, freedom, democracy, economic security and environmental protection for all.

4. Labour will work in pursuit of these aims with trade unions, co-operative societies and other affiliated organisations, and also with voluntary organisations, consumer groups and other representative bodies.

5. On the basis of these principles, Labour seeks the trust of the people to govern.

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The Citizen / Campaign for Socialism