Union 'outraged' over election ballot pledge in UK
A leading trade union has expressed “outrage” that members will have to pledge support for Labour’s policies during the forthcoming ballot for the election of a new Deputy Leader, it was disclosed today.
Trade union members who pay a political levy will be balloted over the next few weeks on who to support in the race to succeed John Prescott.
However, there was growing anger today that the ballot papers will include a declaration of support for the principles and policies of the Labour party, otherwise the vote will be invalid.
Bectu, which represents 26,000 broadcasting workers, who formally protested to Labour arguing it was wrong to tell people to pledge support for policies which they may oppose.
The union said it seriously considered not taking part in the ballot but will now send a covering letter to its members making it clear that Bectu’s leadership does not agree with the move.
General Secretary Gerry Morrissey said in a letter to Labour: “Bectu’s NEC and annual conference were outraged that the Labour party’s National Executive Committee found it necessary that members of trade unions who have allowed part of their subscriptions to go to the Labour party are expected to sign a statement of support for the principles and policies of the Labour party”.
Mr Morrissey said it was a “shameful” way to treat people who had supported Labour for many years, adding that many union members felt it was the NEC of the Labour party which had departed from the principles of socialism.
“It seems incredible to me that at no stage has the Labour party ever required us to confirm that our members are happy for a proportion of their subscriptions to go to the party.
“However, as soon as there is an election then an oath of support seems to be required.”
Mr Morrissey said Labour had been losing members and Bectu had been fighting off moves in recent years to disaffiliate from the party, adding that that balloting process for Mr Prescott’s successor made it even more difficult to maintain the link and encourage members to join the party.
Labour Party General Secretary Peter Watt replied that the declaration of support was a rule book provision which was agreed in 1993 and used to conduct the 1994 leadership and deputy leadership elections.
He wrote to Mr Morrissey: “The declaration of support, wording and the requirement for a tick indicating agreement being used in these elections will be exactly the same as the wording used in 1994.”
