Union’s executive highlights problems with ‘policy, party democracy, freedom of speech and freedom of discussion’
The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has demanded that the Labour party arrange an immediate, emergency ‘recall’ conference to address the party’s glaring ‘crisis’ of ‘policy, party democracy, freedom of speech and freedom of discussion‘ causing ‘unnecessary division’. A statement issued by the union’s executive states:
The FBU Executive Council notes the escalating crisis within the Labour Party. Tens of thousands are leaving the Party. Important issues of policy, party democracy, freedom of speech and freedom of discussion are currently the source of serious and unnecessary division. These must be resolved if a united Labour Party is to provide the leadership which working people so desperately need in the face of the health and economic crisis arising from the Covid pandemic.
We therefore believe that the Party’s crisis needs to be addressed urgently.
We recognise that the highest body of the Party is the national conference, composed of delegates from the CLPs, trade unions, and other affiliated organisations. We believe that this is the only body with the necessary authority to resolve this crisis.
We therefore call on the NEC to organise an immediate national recall conference of the Labour Party, under rule Clause VI:1, with the sole purpose of addressing the issues identified above in order to build the unity necessary to meet the challenges we face.
Yet another union has sent a warning to Labour’s current leadership and bureaucracy, with the Bakers’ union consulting members on whether to remain affiliated to the party and Unite announcing a decrease in its funding – and not donating anything to the Labour party for almost a year now.
Bakers’ union president Ian Hodson has asked publicly: “Who exactly are Labour representing?” More are now asking the same sort of question.
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I think we all know who Labour are representing these days………
Do Unions have MP’s in their back pocket which would give us 41 needed to stand a left candidate in leadership election
Forget conference and concentrate on court cases, with added threat of coordinated mass resignations and unions withdrawing funding
When you have them by the Sir John Halls then surely their hearts and minds will follow
Good post Doug.
Unfortunately due to the Covid situation it is not possible to hold our Conference now. I suppose by the Summer things may be under control but we cannot book a venue and hotels on that basis. However the day of reckoning will come sooner or more likely later- we will just have to wait for it- and the best thing the FBU and the other unions can do NOW is to withhold funding. I am not sure how much Unite has withheld but I think it is only 10%. If I am right then this is not enough. All the unions should withhold at least 40% and advise Starmer that this will be increased by increments of 10% every time Free Speech is curtailed or democracy undermined. Talk is cheap- we need action from the Unions right now
smartboy, “the right will claim” didn’t refer to you or your comment – I hadn’t seen it – my old wrecked fingers are slow on the keyboard.
David, I feel your pain. I use those pens to write because Of ataxia and arthritis. I hate those bloody syntax and spelling Gestapo agents that plague left sites. Like missing out an apostrophe puts the fight for justice and liberty goes back several steps. Elitists who see themselves as our vanguard. Regards ☮️
Unions affiliate members, who agree to do so, to the LP at the agreed rate. They can vote in LP elections. Donations are a separate matter.
Doug, why does it have to be either conference or court cases?
Clearly the two tracks don’t interfere with each other.
Do both.
The right will claim coronavirus makes conference impossible, but it can still be held online. Over weeks instead of days if necessary. Much more flexibility online.