16 July 2013What with holidays and work pressure I have missed out on blogging on some good stories over the last few weeks. One of these being the Union scandal and Milliminor's response.
There is nothing new about this story. Voting rigging is what Unions do and always have done. I remember back in the 70's and before when they held mass meetings. In those days it was all about bullying and intimidation to get hands raised at mass meetings to vote at the 'approved' time. I was actually in a Union in the mid-late 70's, the EEPTU, where Frank Chapel and Eric Hammond confronted the extremists and introduced secret ballots. At the time they were attacked and critisised by other Union leaders over it and, indeed, I remember someone from another Union telling me the EEPTU was not a 'real' Union any more as a result. Well, those abuses were ended by Mrs T and quite right too, with the EEPTU held up as the model for responsible Trade Unions.
So I am not surprised by the Falkirk issue.
But do not be fooled by Milliminor's response to that and the political levy. He has said nothing that risks any money being paid to Labour and nothing that will reduce the Unions influence. He knows very well that the Unions will still by influence in the Labour Party but by another route. All we have seen is a spot of smoke and mirrors. Do not be fooled also be the protestations - remember there are vested interest busy spinning....
That said it is right that the automatic levy to the Labour Party should end. Switching in to and 'opt-in' is the right and proper thing to do with the donation then counting as an individual donation not a Union one. But they should go further - the 'opt-in' to a party donation should be to the Party of the individual's choice, not just to Labour. Clearly there should be rules as to what qualifies as a 'party' in this context. Having MPs in Parliament perhaps or receiving 10% or more of the vote in the previous general election (on a UK constituent country basis).
More though needs to be done over large political donations.
What should NOT happen is taxpayers money going towards Parties. Where it is happening now by the back-door, it should stop.
A limit on political donations is needed for each individual and corporate entity (including Unions) of £50,000. That alone will not stop some 'back door' donations through single issue campaign groups or 'think tanks' but it would be a step forward in clearing up the political system.
I posted previously that I am strongly against public funding for 2 reasons:
a) We are skint, there are more pressing needs
b) A new party, whether it be UKIP or The Greens or an independent individual would never get off the ground.