Miliband Vows To Weaken Union Influence.



The leader of the Labour Party, Ed Miliband has today made a very daring move for any Labour Leader as he vows to change the relationship between the Trade Unions and his party.

In his speech today, Mr. Miliband outlined how he seeks to reform a system in which the Unite Union could have exercised so much influence over the selection process of parliamentary candidates.

        So what did he propose to do?

·         Trade Union members will no longer be automatically affiliated with the Labour Party and candidates will have to obey a new code of conduct.

 

·         Spending caps to be introduced for would-be candidates and organisations, such as Trade Unions backing them which would apply in domestic and European elections.

 

·         Constituency agreements with unions which would ensure that there is a consensus that no one involved in the selection process will be subject to any undue pressure.

·         Primaries, similar to those in the USA will be favoured to choose parliamentary candidates, a move which could be used to select Labour’s candidate for the office of Mayor for London.



In addition, Ed Miliband has also stated that he wishes to see a limit on outside earnings obtained by Members of Parliament if he wins the next general election in 2015.

Ed Miliband vows to end current relationship with unions.

This move is nothing short of a gamble which could lose the Labour Party a substantial sum of money when it comes to trade union subscription fees in which some money is donated to the Labour Party. This would see an ‘opt in’ mechanism created in which union members could voluntarily pay the £3 in donation to the party.

Former Prime Minister Tony Blair has also today backed the announcement by Mr. Miliband as a ‘defining moment’. However, the problem with this endorsement from the former Prime Minister is that I do not believe that Blair regrets never introducing such measures which could potentially see a fall in party income. The General Secretary of the Unite Union, Len McCluskey has described the move as ‘very brave’ which indicates that even he was not expecting such a bold move from the Labour Leadership.

Labour Party funding by Trade Unions. Source: Sky News

The Conservative Party Chairman, Grant Shapps MP has described the plans weak and meaningless, and of course, Mr. Shapps makes a good point in that Miliband was able to become the Leader of the Labour Party due to the trade union votes cast in the leadership race. So just how far is Mr Miliband prepared to go in ensuring a weakening of trade union influence over the affairs of the Labour Party?

Much to the surprise of many, Ed Miliband took the opportunity to criticise those Members of Parliament who undertake work outside of Parliament. We at the Adjournment disagree with this criticism; we believe that Members of Parliament are entitled to a second job which will endeavour them to bring expertise in debates.

If there is an important piece of legislation which comes before the House of Commons regarding reform of the law around criminal justice, the public would not only wish to see those members with legal expertise to contribute to the debates, but we wish the public wish to see the practising barristers and solicitors who are also Members of Parliament contribute in intense debate so that we have confidence that those with the expertise and those who have up to date knowledge are scrutinising proposed legislation in our name with very analytical minds.