Union Stops Payments To Labour Over Expenses

[TrueBlueTerrier]

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Unison, which donates £2m a year to the Labour Party, is suspending payments to 64 constituency Labour parties in protest at MPs' expenses.

The union says it is not breaking its alliance with the party, but it is concerned with the direction of policy, particularly the part-privatisation of Royal Mail.

General Secretary Dave Prentis said his members were tired of "feeding the hand that bites them".

Unison will only support prospective Labour candidates who were willing to stand up for its values of public service, he told the union's annual conference in Brighton.

He received a standing ovation from delegates when he called on the union's Labour Link section to suspend all constituency payments.

"Our people are crying out for change. But it's not about personalities. It's not about who's got the X-factor, or the nicest smile.

"It's about the policies this government and previous governments have pursued. Policies that are an anathema to the values of our union - values of social justice, public service, solidarity, responsibility, public accountability."

It follows weeks of turmoil within the Labour Party sparked by revelations over MPs' expenses, culminating in a failed attempt to force Gordon Brown to step down as leader after appalling results in local and european elections.

Labour MP John McDonnell said he welcomed Mr Prentis's speech, adding: "It is an indication of the revulsion within rank-and-file trade unionists at the Government policies of privatisation.

"We will be seeking a meeting with Dave Prentis about his support for the 'change campaign' within Labour and how we can mobilise for the policies we all want from a Labour Government."

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister addressed a conference of the GMB union, another multi-million pound donor to Labour, this afternoon.

He urged trade unionists and Labour supporters to fight "like never before" to save public services as he launched a fresh attack on Conservative plans to cut spending.

Mr Brown received applause from the 500 delegates, though he faced some tough questions on jobs, help for manufacturing and on part-privatisation of the Royal Mail.

[TrueBlueTerrier]

Well if Unison can do it why cant we .

[Broxi51]

Well done Unison.

[Big Daz]

Well if Unison can do it why cant we .

Because the powers that be have hoodwinked too many of us into beliveing that Labour MP's will withdraw their support for our stance on the PSB.

In reality there are vested interests in the CWU that want to keep the link come what may !!!!!!!!

[Pinky 1]

Well done Unison and Dave Prentis
Nice to see a trade union leading the way .....pity it's not our's

[savo]

Brown is really assuming the great British public are stupid, with his mantra about Torys will cut and Labour will invest.

Labour has so completely destroyed the finances of UK PLC that whoever gets in will have to cut services, unless we want our children, grand-children and great grand children to end up paying for this mess.

[norbert]

Well if Unison can do it why cant we .

I'm afraid you have to take Unison with a very large pinch of salt , that union is very split ; between campaigning / issues officers and the ones that wish to climb up the greasy New Labour pole .

There has been some strange goings on , union money and staff used for election campaigns for New Labour , some extreme right wing gloating views on Facebook groups about drumming union officials out which can be traced back to certain people .