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| Unions outraged at Cameron’s ‘partisan attack’ on how Labour is funded | Unions outraged at Cameron’s ‘partisan attack’ on how Labour is funded |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The Government has been accused of a "shamelessly partisan attack" on Labour funding after changes to union subscriptions were included in the Queen's Speech. | The Government has been accused of a "shamelessly partisan attack" on Labour funding after changes to union subscriptions were included in the Queen's Speech. |
| The Conservative election manifesto pledged legislation to ensure trade unions use a "transparent opt-in process for union subscriptions". | The Conservative election manifesto pledged legislation to ensure trade unions use a "transparent opt-in process for union subscriptions". |
| But when the Trade Unions Bill was published, the words "for the political fund element" were added. | But when the Trade Unions Bill was published, the words "for the political fund element" were added. |
| With little explanation of what is being proposed, unions now assume that members will have to opt-in to paying an annual amount to Labour, rather than opting out as at present. | With little explanation of what is being proposed, unions now assume that members will have to opt-in to paying an annual amount to Labour, rather than opting out as at present. |
| There is speculation that the measure is bound to hit union funds to Labour. | There is speculation that the measure is bound to hit union funds to Labour. |
| A Unite spokesman said: "The Tories are taking Britain back to the 1920s with this shamelessly partisan attack on the funding of the opposition party. | A Unite spokesman said: "The Tories are taking Britain back to the 1920s with this shamelessly partisan attack on the funding of the opposition party. |
| "Political funds are already subject to approval being given in regular ballots by unions. Tory hedge fund and multimillionaire donors will face no similar restrictions, leaving boards free to write hefty cheques backing the Tory Party. | "Political funds are already subject to approval being given in regular ballots by unions. Tory hedge fund and multimillionaire donors will face no similar restrictions, leaving boards free to write hefty cheques backing the Tory Party. |
| "Absent from the Tory manifesto, there is zero popular mandate for this move which is just one more attack on working people. It is clear there is no place for trade unions in Cameron's 'one nation'." | "Absent from the Tory manifesto, there is zero popular mandate for this move which is just one more attack on working people. It is clear there is no place for trade unions in Cameron's 'one nation'." |
| Paul Kenny, GMB general-secretary, told the Press Association: "This is just the same old Tories who are anti-trade union and anti-working people having a voice. | Paul Kenny, GMB general-secretary, told the Press Association: "This is just the same old Tories who are anti-trade union and anti-working people having a voice. |
| "It's one rule for the Tory slush fund, hedge funds and another for trade union members. | "It's one rule for the Tory slush fund, hedge funds and another for trade union members. |
| "This will not deter or silence the voices of millions of working people who have already given their approval for political funds through democratic ballots governed by statute. | "This will not deter or silence the voices of millions of working people who have already given their approval for political funds through democratic ballots governed by statute. |
| "It will bring state funding for political parties a step nearer. It is not sustainable to allow the elite and companies unfettered and unlimited rights to fund the Tory Party while shackling the bodies that have funded the political opposition to them for more than a century." | "It will bring state funding for political parties a step nearer. It is not sustainable to allow the elite and companies unfettered and unlimited rights to fund the Tory Party while shackling the bodies that have funded the political opposition to them for more than a century." |
| A Labour Party spokesperson said: "On the union opt-in, we support measures to ensure increased transparency and have already introduced reforms to Labour Party processes to reflect this. | A Labour Party spokesperson said: "On the union opt-in, we support measures to ensure increased transparency and have already introduced reforms to Labour Party processes to reflect this. |
| "Any proposals from the Government must be done in a fair non-partisan way and which doesn't rig things in favour of the Tory Party." | |
| PA |