Random Article Summary #48

Devon Labour Briefing was created in Exeter, England in 1984. It was founded by members of the left-wing Labour Party who were inspired by London Labour Briefing. Devon Labour Briefing was established in 1984 as the successor to Exeter Labour Briefing, which was founded in 1983. It gained support from the left-wing of the Exeter Labour Party, including members of the Exeter University Labour Club and the Exeter Labour Party Young Socialists. It also had a small number of supporters in other branches of the Exeter Labour Party. Devon Labour Briefing was a publication focused on the Exeter Labour Party. It criticized the city party for being non-socialist, racist, and sexist. It was critical of the coalition between Labour and the Liberal/SDP Alliance in control of Exeter City Council, and campaigned for the Green Party in one election. It also participated in various social and political movements, such as supporting the miners' strike and being involved in anti-apartheid and disarmament campaigns. The group also aligned itself with the East Devon Labour Party and the Workers Revolutionary Party. The leadership of Exeter Labour Party took disciplinary action against Exeter Labour Briefing due to confusion with their own publication. The magazine was renamed Devon Labour Briefing after intervention from Tony Benn, but in 1985, the leadership resumed disciplinary action due to the magazine being 'prejudicial to interests of the Party.' Three writers were recommended for expulsion, but they obtained a High Court injunction stopping the process. In 1987, disciplinary action was taken again, resulting in a formal warning but not expulsion. Devon Labour Briefing opposed the celebrations of the Glorious Revolution in Exeter, arguing that William of Orange symbolized Protestant supremacy in Northern Ireland and that the celebrations were attracting right-wing groups. Although they won the vote within the Labour Party, the City Council went ahead with the celebrations. This led to the formation of Exeter Anti-Fascist Action, a group made up of supporters of various left-wing factions.