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The union row is a battle for the soul of the Labour party The union row is a battle for the soul of the Labour party
(14 days later)
Chaos theorists supposedly claim that a butterfly can flap its wings in China and cause a hurricane in Peru. I doubt anyone has compared Eric Joyce MP to a butterfly before, but one evening in February 2013, the honourable member for Falkirk threw back one dram too many, swung out with his gnarly fists, punched a party whip, headbutted a Tory and set off a chain reaction that might just destroy the Labour party as we know it.Chaos theorists supposedly claim that a butterfly can flap its wings in China and cause a hurricane in Peru. I doubt anyone has compared Eric Joyce MP to a butterfly before, but one evening in February 2013, the honourable member for Falkirk threw back one dram too many, swung out with his gnarly fists, punched a party whip, headbutted a Tory and set off a chain reaction that might just destroy the Labour party as we know it.
It was that ignominious incident which sparked the contest for the safe seat of Falkirk and everything that followed – accusations of ballot-rigging by Unite union members (later shown to be unfounded), a hastily compiled reform package for union funding to the party, the resignation of the much-admired Tom Watson from the front bench, and now, in a devastating move for the party, the news that the humungous GMB union is to slash its affiliation fees to the party from £1.2m to a paltry £150,000, with unspecified campaign funding donations to go on top.It was that ignominious incident which sparked the contest for the safe seat of Falkirk and everything that followed – accusations of ballot-rigging by Unite union members (later shown to be unfounded), a hastily compiled reform package for union funding to the party, the resignation of the much-admired Tom Watson from the front bench, and now, in a devastating move for the party, the news that the humungous GMB union is to slash its affiliation fees to the party from £1.2m to a paltry £150,000, with unspecified campaign funding donations to go on top.
As things stand, Labour can absorb the hit. They remain the country's best funded party, and their own version of the Million Pound Drop would be equivalent to about 3% of their total income, or about 15% of their union levies. The announcement seems purely political, and perhaps symbolic. There has been no formal policy decision taken by the GMB, this is instead their financial estimate of the consequences for Labour if the 650,000 members it currently affiliates were to drop, as they predict, to just 50,000 when an individual opt-in system of political levies are introduced. The danger is with the timing, just five days before the annual TUC gathering in Bournemouth, and (presumably) timed to cause maximum ructions and embarrassment to the party.As things stand, Labour can absorb the hit. They remain the country's best funded party, and their own version of the Million Pound Drop would be equivalent to about 3% of their total income, or about 15% of their union levies. The announcement seems purely political, and perhaps symbolic. There has been no formal policy decision taken by the GMB, this is instead their financial estimate of the consequences for Labour if the 650,000 members it currently affiliates were to drop, as they predict, to just 50,000 when an individual opt-in system of political levies are introduced. The danger is with the timing, just five days before the annual TUC gathering in Bournemouth, and (presumably) timed to cause maximum ructions and embarrassment to the party.
Len McLuskey of the Unite union, the single biggest party contributor, is promising to somehow hold up their level of funding. If that remains in place, Labour will be able to survive the manoeuvrings of Paul Kenny and the GMB. The key question is whether all the other unions gathering next week opt to side with the brusque politicking of the latter, or the sleek canoodling of the former.Len McLuskey of the Unite union, the single biggest party contributor, is promising to somehow hold up their level of funding. If that remains in place, Labour will be able to survive the manoeuvrings of Paul Kenny and the GMB. The key question is whether all the other unions gathering next week opt to side with the brusque politicking of the latter, or the sleek canoodling of the former.
What we are seeing played out here is a battle for the very soul of the Labour party. It is easy to forget that it was formed precisely to give trades unions, the only meaningful representatives of working class people, a democratic voice in the parliamentary system as a bulwark and counterweight to the wealth and power of the ruling classes. While union membership has plummeted in recent decades, union engagement still, at least in theory, serves that function. Without it, British party politics in the UK will be left entirely in thrall to the pockets of ultra-rich individuals and corporate interests.What we are seeing played out here is a battle for the very soul of the Labour party. It is easy to forget that it was formed precisely to give trades unions, the only meaningful representatives of working class people, a democratic voice in the parliamentary system as a bulwark and counterweight to the wealth and power of the ruling classes. While union membership has plummeted in recent decades, union engagement still, at least in theory, serves that function. Without it, British party politics in the UK will be left entirely in thrall to the pockets of ultra-rich individuals and corporate interests.
Those who consider the unions' purchased power in politics to be anti-democratic show little appreciation of what the alternative would mean. To a certain extent this unfolding crisis is of the Labour party's own making. Since 1995 the party has made it quite clear it feels rather more comfortable – and sees more prospects for electoral success – through canoodling with rich benefactors and capitalist playmakers than with the working people and union members that form its grassroots.Those who consider the unions' purchased power in politics to be anti-democratic show little appreciation of what the alternative would mean. To a certain extent this unfolding crisis is of the Labour party's own making. Since 1995 the party has made it quite clear it feels rather more comfortable – and sees more prospects for electoral success – through canoodling with rich benefactors and capitalist playmakers than with the working people and union members that form its grassroots.
To a larger extent, it is an inevitable consequence of the victory of global capitalism in co-opting and enclosing the process of politics to its own ends over the past four decades. It is possible that the next few weeks, beginning with the union congress in Bournemouth followed by the Labour party conference in Brighton, will map out not only the legacy of Ed Miliband as Labour leader, but the future of the democratic left (if such a thing still exists) for decades to come.To a larger extent, it is an inevitable consequence of the victory of global capitalism in co-opting and enclosing the process of politics to its own ends over the past four decades. It is possible that the next few weeks, beginning with the union congress in Bournemouth followed by the Labour party conference in Brighton, will map out not only the legacy of Ed Miliband as Labour leader, but the future of the democratic left (if such a thing still exists) for decades to come.
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