Westminister Hall Parliament Debate on Red Tory plans to "Leninism" the Local Government Penison Scheme

Yesterday evening I went to the Parliamentary debate at the Grand Committee Room in Westminster Hall, which took place following the 105,000 signatures in the petition against Tory plans to direct and control the 5 Million member, £200 billion UK Local Government Pensions Scheme.

I sat with the ever quiet and demur UNISON national officer for Capital Stewardship, Colin Meech.

A number of opposition MPs from different political parties had decided to support this petition at the debate.

I will post later in more detail on this event once I have seen and considered the full Hansard report on the proceedings but it is pretty clear to me that the Tory plans to have powers to direct LGPS funds to invest in their pet political infrastructure projects and stop funds from investing overseas unless they sign up to Tory Government foreign policies, is just an absolute disgrace.

UNISON is convinced that such demands are illegal since pension funds have to decide to invest in accordance to the best interests of members of their fund and not the political whim of Government ministers.

It was also clear to me this evening that in response to a direct question by Melanie Onn MP, that the new Local Government Pension Minister, Marcus Jones, while trying to defend this robbery, simply did not understand that there is no Crown Promise or Pension Protection Fund for the LGPS. Under present plans if the Government forces the LGPS to invest or remain in disastrous investment schemes then all bets are off about the sustainability of the Scheme and the safety of our pensions.

I had to agree with the remarks by Jack Dromey MP, that these plans for the local government pension scheme are not only illegal but more "Leninism than Localism". What on earth is a Tory Government which claims to be against big government and in favour of localism and a small state acting as Marxists and telling local pension schemes what they should be investing in?

Okay, I get it that they should be telling them not to invest in very risky derivatives (LOBOS) or a race horse at the 3.30 at Newmarket. But telling them "what" to invest in for political reasons is very different.

Don't they realise that they are giving a precedent for any future government to direct pension investments as they see fit?

This bonkers' policy will mean less investment, not more, by the LGPS into much needed UK infrastructure investment, since there will be a justifiable suspicion by pension committees and boards that money is being allocated in order to avoid possible government intervention rather than in the best interests of members. They will be suspicious of all such proposals and should be minded to challenge and oppose them until this law is changed. Talk about unintended consequences!

The fight is not over and if the Government thinks this will go away then they are being completely delusional.

Picture from after meeting in Westminster Hall of Labour MPs, Melanie Onn and Lilian Greenwood, who are UNISON members and turned up tonight to support our campaign. Many thanks to all the other MPs who turned up as well to save their constituents' pensions and make sure that their money is not being used by this or future governments for their own political agendas.

 

UNISON Labour Link 2015: Day 2 - meet the "Newbie" MPs

Day 2 of the National UNISON Labour Link Forum in Manchester started this morning with a "Parliamentary Panel" of MPs and  MEPS (see picture). It was inspiring to see 3 new MPs who come from our movement sitting for the first time alongside longer serving panel members. Former UNISON NEC member, Dave Anderson MP, spoke first about the risk to the union from indiscipline and how we must remain loyal and united to fight off Tory attacks on the union and the cuts.

Next was the first "Newbie" MP (as she described herself) former UNISON branch secretary and regional convener, Angela Rayner MP.  Angela described her first few weeks in Parliament as getting "constantly lost" and grappling with the often arcane practices and procedures. Especially when it comes to what she can and cannot say about her political opponents during debates. In her first speech to the House of Commons she spoke about her life experiences as a single Mum at age 16 and working as a home carer.

In a question from the floor about the proposed new trade treaty with Europe and America (TTIP) MEP Jude Kirton-Darling, promised to oppose it if it threatens any form of public services.

2nd Newbie was former UNISON regional officer, Melanie Onn MP, who told us about her joy at winning her seat (and defeating UKIP) and her sadness about resigning as a union official since she worries about her members, especially those facing the Tory cuts onslaught. She recalled how she was nervous about her first speech to the Commons  but she had carefully prepared a short timed speech only to be told immediately beforehand by the Whips that she had to pad it out to 20 minutes!

Not a newbie but always good to see and hear was Lilian Greenwood MP who told us how awful opposition is and how we need to go and speak and listen to the general public before we decide what to do next. We cannot just say to them that we were right and you were wrong.

Final "Newbie" was Daniel Zeichner who is a new MP but has worked for UNISON Labour Link for many years and has helped run this National Forum. Daniel thought we had 3 things to do. First, defend public services. Second, defend the union since the Tories are coming for us. Thirdly, we had to build an alternative political narrative for the public. He also described how unpleasant it was to be sitting for 7 hours a day in front of 350 Tories.

Final speaker was MEP Theresa Griffin, who defeated BNP leader Nick Griffin last year. She put down one reason for her success was ordinary UNISON members passing messages to other UNISON members.

After the panel we had a discussion and vote on the UNION Labour Link annual report followed by motions. First debate was on Local Government Finance. The mover brought alongside a jar of pickles to compare the value of former Minister Eric. There were other motions on Employment tribunals; engagement of young people; encouraging Black Labour Link officers; BME representation and equalities. Husband of Angela, Mark Rayner gave a passionate speech about the importance of doing every things we can to get more unison candidates to stand as Labour candidates in 2020. There was also motions on TTIP, "Fit to Work" Scheme, affordable housing and Union busting by UK Public Service providers and final one on human rights.

Chair Eleanor Smith closed the conference by hoping at next year's Forum following successful results in the elections in London, Scotland and local councils we will be in better spirits than this year.  

"the only choice for our members will be between a uber right wing Tory or a Labour Government..."

This is from my Labour Link Officer submission to the UNISON Housing Association Branch Annual Report 2014.

"On May 7 2015 the only choice for our members will be between a uber right wing Tory Government or a Labour Government.

If a Tory government is returned then I believe we will see the Housing Associations becoming “for profit” organisations and an accelerated race to the gutter of low wages, insecure contracts and limited or even nonexistent employment law rights for all.

Housing management and repairs could be outsourced to private companies in the same way as cleaning and care workers have been.

Voting Labour will also protect the NHS by repealing the Coalition Health & Social Care Act and the Bedroom Tax. Labour will tax bankers, build more homes and regulate private sector housing.

UNISON and the Labour Party are all part of the same wider Labour Movement family. Like all large families I have ever come across we do not always see eye to eye on all things.

However, I have always believed in the old saying that, “the worst day in any Labour government is much better than the best day in any Tory Government”. 

Progressives should consider joining the Labour Party to help Ed Miliband continue to rebalance the Party towards the centre left.

Branch Labour Link members will play their part in the forthcoming election by taking part in campaigning, door knocking and delivering leaflets for Labour Candidates.

We will also be organising a branch mobilisation event at the House of Commons on “Rights at Work” which all Link members will be welcome.

Don’t forget either that as Labour Link members that you can play a part in the selection of the Labour Mayoral candidate for London. So watch this space and make sure you and your family are registered to vote - and then vote Labour on May 7th.

John Gray Branch Labour Link Officer"

(photo from last year's Branch Labour Link AGM at House of Commons with Lilian Greenwood MP)

"Rights at Work" UNISON Labour Link event at House of Commons

This is a fantastic picture from last weeks' London UNISON Labour Link "Rights at Work" event for our members who live in Ilford North CLP. The event was organised by Lilian Greenwood MP (who use to be a UNISON national officer and is a great friend of our union). We had speeches on "Rights at Work" by guest speakers Chuka Umunna MP, Ilford North Candidate Wes Streeting and Shadow London Minister, Sadiq Khan. West Ham MP, Lyn Brown, also came to speak to members and their guests.

Workers in this country need to understand that the Tories in the last 5 years have decimated our employment rights. They have doubled the amount of time that an employer has to get rid of you without you having any rights for unfair dismissal; they have watered down TUPE protection if you are transferred to another employer who wants to slash your terms and conditions - and if you want justice at work, it could cost you at least £1200 up front, to even appear before an employment tribunal. 

Yesterday evening I chaired an "Equality at Work" event sponsored by London Labour Link for our LGBT members at the House of Commons which I will post upon soon.

Lilian Greenwood MP & UNISON Housing Association Branch Labour Link AGM

I think this is a great picture from last month's Branch Labour Link AGM held at the House of Commons.  Our guest speaker was to have been Shadow Housing Minister, Emma Reynolds MP but she had to pull out at the last minute due to a family emergency. Emma has offered to rearrange for the near future.

Top UNISON member and MP for Nottingham South, Lilian Greenwood (see picture 4th on left) stepped in at the very last minute to be our guest speaker. She gave a marvelous off the cuff speech on her background, her values and what she wants to achieve as a MP- then she took part in a wide ranging Q&A.

Afterwards UNISON Voluntary Organisations Branch Labour Link Officer Jonathon Slater (2nd from left) spoke about the importance of winning the Local and Euro elections  in May. Jonathon is standing as a  Labour Candidate for Whitefoot ward in Lewisham.

Our Regional Branch organiser Colin Inniss spoke about how vital it is to recruit more members, stewards and to campaign to defend jobs, terms and conditions.

As the Branch Labour Link officer I also asked for active support for Labour candidates in the forth coming battle in May (I am also standing again as the Labour Candidate for West Ham ward in Newham).

I made the very simple and obvious point to everyone present that while politics should not be about personalities - listening tonight to Lilian about her background and values as well as her obvious decency you should decide who you want to be a part of future government that rules over you - Lilian or David Cameron?

I think it is fair to say that none of us wanted David Cameron.

Afterwards we went to our traditional social at the Weatherspoons in Whitehall.

I will post more pictures of event on Facebook.