Labour Link with Unions?

I'm not really sure what to make of the story in today's Independent about Ed Miliband supposedly severing "big money" ties with affiliated trade unions.  It is all pretty unclear and confusing.  This is after all the winter silly season. 

The idea of having a 4th estate of Labour "supporters" (define?) to vote in leadership elections seems particularly daft and impractical. 

The state of the Party finances means it is hardly in a position to contemplate getting rid of any financial sources never mind trying to pass controversial rule changes at Conference. 

I'm not at all sure what impact this would have on an affiliated union such as UNISON which has its own separate political fund called (hint, hint) "UNISON Labour Link" paid for by voluntary levy payments by individual members of much, much less than £500 per year.  In fact I think changes could indeed strengthen the link between the Party and its unions. 

I do like this great quote (para 354) by former Labour Party General Secretary Peter Watt “...I think the relationship between the party and trade unions, people misconstrue it, it is not a relationship we have with them, they are of the Labour Party, they formed us, they are members of. People talk about the trade unions and the Labour Party, we are the same institution in terms of the Labour Party, they are fundamentally in our DNA from top to bottom, and that cannot and will not change, and the party gains huge political strength from that and I think could gain more".

Hat tip UNISONactive

Leadership Election – Join the Labour Party: Get a Vote!

Quick post on the email no doubt many of us received today from Peter Watt, the Labour Party General Secretary, urging us to encourage Labour Party supporters to join the Party by June 1 and still get a vote for the Labour Party Leadership and Deputy Leadership.

By co-incidence, I spoke today to a GMB steward who lives in West Ham (my CLP). I asked him if he was a member of the Party. He said no, he gave some reasons why – including the cost! When I told him that trade union members can pay £1 per month he was astonished and said he would consider joining.

Now, if you can afford it, I would encourage everyone to pay the proper rate of £3 per month to join the Party (just over the cost of one pint of Stella in London – sorry I have been too long in the “Smoke” and I’m now a confirmed lager drinker). The literature does not make it particularly clear however, that the “reduced rate" for Labour Party membership also includes trade unionists as well as “unwaged”. There is a mass of trade union members who already pay a voluntary excess on their subs to the Party , who are probably not going to be very active in the Party, but are willing to join the Party (at £12 per year) to show support.

Interesting that the Party is doing this push. Some might think that there should have been a “cut off” point for eligibility to vote. Like there is for elections for prospective parliamentary candidates. Having a vote will be useful for CLP membership secretaries to use to chase "lapsed" members into paying their dues.

I understand from a few “Left” blogs that several thousand “Marxists” (inverted comma’s - sorry can’t find a source, but I have seen it I think on the socialist unity sites? - honest) deliberately joined the Labour Party solely to vote for Tony Benn to be deputy leader in 1981. Didn’t do him much good but I assume the Party enjoyed the subs.

Maybe it would be an idea to make it clear that a percentage of subs from new members are used to pay for a “thank you” party for Tony Blair? (Joke)

And while you are at it - join a trade union! If you work in public services then you must join UNISON (and make sure you tick the “Labour Link” aka “Applied Political Fund” levy box - you have until May 16 to get a levy vote). If you don’t work in Public services then check out the TUC "Work Smart" – Union finder site. Try to join a Labour Party affiliated site if at all possible. Check out TULO to find affiliated unions.

Finally, check out the stuff you can buy to mark the 2007 leadership election (see photos above)!