Monday, June 18, 2007

Alan Johnson writes to UNISON Labour Link Members




8th June 2007
To: UNISON Labour Link Members

Dear Colleague,
Election of the Deputy Leader of the Labour Party.

As we reach the end of what has been a mammoth campaign I am writing to say how grateful I am for the support of UNISON for my deputy leadership bid. I believe the faith the union has placed in me is for good reason. Trade unionism is in my blood. I joined the union on my first day at work and held virtually every elected position up to General Secretary.

I owe much of who and what I am today to the Trade Union movement. It educated me and gave me a political direction. Since those earliest days I have wanted to advance the cause of working people and their families.

In government I have stuck to my trade union principles. I have delivered improvements for working people in respect of maternity leave, paternity leave and anti-discrimination legislation. The deal I brokered to honour the current normal pension age of three million teachers, civil servants, nurses and other NHS staff was a balanced, negotiated agreement which I defended against fierce attacks from the malicious and the ill informed.

Around this time you will be receiving your ballot paper. I believe it takes a certain type of individual with certain qualities to be deputy leader. Someone who sticks by their principles, someone who doesn’t change their position or disown their past because they think it will win a few votes. Someone who can work with the new leader but can stand up to him if needs be; someone who has real experience in government and a genuine understanding of the concerns and motivations of ordinary working people, because their background is the same as the people we in Labour are here to defend.

The person the party chooses to become deputy will have a real bearing on our chances at the next election. That’s why more MPs and MEPs nominated me than any other candidate.

That’s why I hope you will vote for me.

Yours sincerely
Alan Johnson MP

On Friday I got my trade union ballot paper with it was an endorsement of Alan by UNISON Labour Link.

"UNISON is recommending that members back Education Secretary Alan Johnson MP for deputy leader of the Labour Party. The UNISON Labour Link committee is also recommending members give their second preference vote to Peter Hain MP, the Northern Ireland Secretary.
Alan Johnson has strong trade union links, having been general secretary of the CWU. His ‘good ministerial record’ in areas such as public sector pensions, family friendly policies, equalities and now on education support staff also won him the committee’s vote with many UNISON members having benefited from his decisions.

Alan Johnson is someone we can do business with and who can take Labour's message to the country along with Gordon' said Dave Prentis.The Education Secretary got the support of UNISON's political committee which also brought unanimous vote to throw the union's weight behind Gordon Brown as party leader.Peter Hain won backing to get second preference votes for his long campaigning record against apartheid and racism and his close work with the unions.UNISON backs Alan Johnson for Deputy Alan Johnson has strong trade union links, having been general secretary of the CWU. His 'good ministerial record' in areas such as public sector pensions, family friendly policies, equalities and now on education support staff also won him the committee's vote with many UNISON members having benefited from his decisions.'We need an election-winning team to face down the Conservatives,'said Labour Link chair Steve Warwick. 'Gordon and Alan can win an election for Labour.'UNISON is recommending that members back Education Secretary Alan Johnson MP for deputy leader of the Labour Party. The UNISON Labour Link committee is also recommending members give their second preference vote to Peter Hain MP, the Northern Ireland Secretary"

7 comments:

Tom said...

I wonder what he'll do to stop privatisation in the NHS?

Ho hum.

Anonymous said...

Alan Johnson has strong trade union links, having been general secretary of the CWU.

The CWU has disowned him. Twice.

John Gray said...

Hi El Tom
At least we would have someone who shares our background as a working class trade unionist and who has proven himself to intervene against opposition when he agrees with us e.g. public sector pensions.

gregg
I was very pleased to note on my TU ballot paper that Alan had been nominated by the directly elected members of the CWU. While it is a shame but not unexpected that when a vote was taken by enemies of the Labour Party (SWP etc)they wanted it to be remitted. However, I understand that under the CWU rules he remains their nominee. Good on them! Find out tomorrow.

Sean said...

That will be the same Alan Johson who is against the Trade union freedom Bill? Who during the hustings warned other candidates of a leftwards shift (ie towards the policies of our national union) I couldnt bring myself to vote for him as my number one candidate and I think UNISON supporting him had more ot do with political expedinecy at the time than principled decision making. I used my vote accordingly

John Gray said...

Hi Sean
Glad to know how principled you are compared to us mere “politicos”. Shame that despite your “principles” you choose to deliberately misrepresent Alan. Still, no real surprise I suppose. Never mind – one day….

Sean said...

John not sure where you think I misrepresented Alan Johnsons views be genuinely interested to know which of the points I made in my post that you feel is wrong. As for "still one day" indeed so I hope there will be a day when I cna vote for a candiate in a deputy leadership/leadership election that supports our union's policies.

John Gray said...

Hi Sean
I believe that Alan is genuinely interested in building Trade unions and that I heard him during the hustings on at east 3 times in person (and a couple of times on TV) and he never to my knowledge, warned any candidate about such language in that way. Don’t believe what you may read in the “Socialist Rot”

The day you vote for a national politician who will support all our unions’ policies is the day you might as well vote for the Tories to be in power. Whether you like it or not, the Party is (thankfully) interested in Power not playing politics. In this country it has to capture the centre ground. We don’t want to fight the next general election on the 2nd longest suicide note in history…. Of course some would prefer this.