make a pretext for meaning in English

以借口来辩解..

Party leadership , of course , is not infallible , and the problem of how the party can maintain close links with the masses and exercise correct and effective leadership is still one that we must seriously study and try to solve . but this can never be made a pretext for demanding the weakening or liquidation of the party ' s leadership
党的领导当然不会没有错误，而党如何才能密切联系群众，实施正确的和有效的领导，也还是一个必须认真考虑和努力解决的问题，但是这决不能成为要求削弱和取消党的领导的理由。