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Ed Miliband sets out to persuade unions over rebuilding Labour links Ed Miliband sets out to persuade unions over rebuilding Labour links
(8 days later)
An unapologetic Ed Miliband faces a tough public political test on Tuesday when he prepares to tell trade unions they must have the courage to risk rebuilding the relationship between the party and its union affiliates.An unapologetic Ed Miliband faces a tough public political test on Tuesday when he prepares to tell trade unions they must have the courage to risk rebuilding the relationship between the party and its union affiliates.
In a speech to the Trades Union Congress conference in Bournemouth, he will accept that the move, which will reduce the influence of the unions within the party, is a risk but will claim that "the bigger risk is in just saying 'Let's do it as we have always done it'."In a speech to the Trades Union Congress conference in Bournemouth, he will accept that the move, which will reduce the influence of the unions within the party, is a risk but will claim that "the bigger risk is in just saying 'Let's do it as we have always done it'."
He is due to tell them: "I respect those who worry about change. I understand, but I disagree. It is the right thing to do. Change can happen. Change must happen. And I am absolutely determined that this change will happen."He is due to tell them: "I respect those who worry about change. I understand, but I disagree. It is the right thing to do. Change can happen. Change must happen. And I am absolutely determined that this change will happen."
His aides admit they cannot predict the reaction from delegates, but say he wants to persuade them about rebuilding the party. He will claim it will be possible to build a Labour party based not on the current 200,000 members but instead 500,000 if a sufficent number of individual trade unionists can be persuaded to join the party.His aides admit they cannot predict the reaction from delegates, but say he wants to persuade them about rebuilding the party. He will claim it will be possible to build a Labour party based not on the current 200,000 members but instead 500,000 if a sufficent number of individual trade unionists can be persuaded to join the party.
Many union leaders insist there has to be a collective link between the party and the unions. Labour still relies on the unions for most of its funding.Many union leaders insist there has to be a collective link between the party and the unions. Labour still relies on the unions for most of its funding.
Often accused of fence sitting, Miliband will claim bluntly "the current relationship is not working". He will tell what is likely to be at best a sceptical audience that although the party nominally has 3 million affiliated trade unionists, the reality is is the "vast majority play no role in our party. They are affiliated in name only. That was not the vision of the founders of our party."Often accused of fence sitting, Miliband will claim bluntly "the current relationship is not working". He will tell what is likely to be at best a sceptical audience that although the party nominally has 3 million affiliated trade unionists, the reality is is the "vast majority play no role in our party. They are affiliated in name only. That was not the vision of the founders of our party."
He will explain: "That is why I want to make each and every affiliated trade union member a real part of their local party, making a real choice to be part of our party so they can have a real voice in it."He will explain: "That is why I want to make each and every affiliated trade union member a real part of their local party, making a real choice to be part of our party so they can have a real voice in it."
YouGov released a survey of 2,500 people that belong to the 14 unions affiliated to the party, suggesting only 45% would vote Labour if there were an election tomorrow. That suggests more than 1 million of the 3 million members do not support Labour at all.YouGov released a survey of 2,500 people that belong to the 14 unions affiliated to the party, suggesting only 45% would vote Labour if there were an election tomorrow. That suggests more than 1 million of the 3 million members do not support Labour at all.
Miliband has already tried to assuage union thinking by setting out plans to abolish exploitation in zero hours contracts, one of the most disliked parts of the current labour market. In his speech, Miliband will also embrace the principle of trade unionism and characterise David Cameron as a Mitt Romney figure willing to write off trade unionists as a "threat to our economy".Miliband has already tried to assuage union thinking by setting out plans to abolish exploitation in zero hours contracts, one of the most disliked parts of the current labour market. In his speech, Miliband will also embrace the principle of trade unionism and characterise David Cameron as a Mitt Romney figure willing to write off trade unionists as a "threat to our economy".
He will claim: "One Nation Conservatives would be turning in their graves if they could hear the nasty divisive small minded rhetoric of the leader of a once great party."He will claim: "One Nation Conservatives would be turning in their graves if they could hear the nasty divisive small minded rhetoric of the leader of a once great party."
Miliband will praise the 6 million trade unionists "who teach our children, who look after the sick, who care for the elderly, who build our homes, who keep our shops open morning noon and night. They're not the enemy within. They are the people who make Britain what it is."Miliband will praise the 6 million trade unionists "who teach our children, who look after the sick, who care for the elderly, who build our homes, who keep our shops open morning noon and night. They're not the enemy within. They are the people who make Britain what it is."
Whether this praise will be enough to win over the notoriously difficult TUC audience is uncertain.Whether this praise will be enough to win over the notoriously difficult TUC audience is uncertain.
Miliband goes to the TUC after a private meeting of Labour MPs on Monday evening in which many voices were raised complaining about the practicality and politics of his plans. Fears are growing among Labour MPs that unions will carry out their threat to withdraw funding, leaving them badly handicapped in the general election.Miliband goes to the TUC after a private meeting of Labour MPs on Monday evening in which many voices were raised complaining about the practicality and politics of his plans. Fears are growing among Labour MPs that unions will carry out their threat to withdraw funding, leaving them badly handicapped in the general election.
There had been concerns that supporters of the shadow chancellor Ed Balls are doing little to support the reforms, making efforts to sell the proposals that much harder. But Balls on Channel 4 gave full-throated support, saying Miliband's reforms "are not about one town, not about one selection, but about a different way of doing politics. They are about and moving away from the big money politics which George Osborne is infatuated with."There had been concerns that supporters of the shadow chancellor Ed Balls are doing little to support the reforms, making efforts to sell the proposals that much harder. But Balls on Channel 4 gave full-throated support, saying Miliband's reforms "are not about one town, not about one selection, but about a different way of doing politics. They are about and moving away from the big money politics which George Osborne is infatuated with."
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