With respect, “the movement” doesn’t choose anyone; the Leaders of Unite and Unison are chosen by their members to represent their interests – in theory, at least.

Unite might pay some attention to their political afiliation to a single party – Labour, while their own polling of their own members show the party to be supported only by a minority.

I’d suggest that it is time for some pluralism and … er … properly representing all the members on a democratic basis.

It will fall upon the leadership of the trade union movement and the Labour Party to think outside the box of its comfort zones.

And you write that sentence with a straight face? Next you’ll be telling us that THIGMOO needs to find a new language with which to connect with ordinary people.

Matt.
I believe you are refering to a opinion poll conducted in Jan/feb of this year
Unites own phone survey’s in the run up to the General election suggested a strong support for Labour.
Tens of thousands of members were rung up during the campaign and well over 60% suggested support for the Labour Party. This was reported to the executive of the union.
Earlier in the year an independent poll of about 1000 members suggested a minority of members supported Labour. This survey in no way can be taken seriously in the light of Unites own findings.

“Earlier in the year an independent poll of about 1000 members suggested a minority of members supported Labour. This survey in no way can be taken seriously in the light of Unites own findings.”

Without more information re the sampling methodology and the framing of the questions one cannot be sure of this in any way.

@ian

You’re thinking of the Populus poll from March this year?

Actually, no. I’m referring to Unite’s own research in – I think – late 2008/early 2009. I picked it up from an aside in a newspaper report at the time. I checked the point with Charlie Whelan earlier this year, and he confirmed it. His comment was that affiliation decisions had been devolved to branch level.

The substantive point, though, is how can mono-affiliation be justified in a mass organisation which says it represents the political interests of its members? For me, that is one reason I have not been in a Union since 1997.

Even if we take your figure of 60%, that’s 40% of 1.64million people who are not being represented.

Elections to the Unite NEC recognise proportionality. That principle should also be applied to political representation, surely?

As it is, they are probably locked out for 5 years now, following on from years vulnerable to accusations of intrigue. I think this will be an albatross.

“Unite, the GMB and Unison all have conferences in the next few weeks. ”

Funny, I was at GMB Congress last week, and as far as I know the next one is in Brighton in 2011

I think you’ve made a mistake about the Unite General Secretary candidates. Jerry Hicks is the hard left candidate, Len McCluskey represents the centre ground and Les Bayliss the far right of the union. Hicks will pick up a few votes from the SWP and other loons, Bayliss the votes of the old AEEU right wing and McCluskey probably the majority of votes from both the former Amicus and old TGWU.

John, think again. Hicks will pick up looney left, McCluskey will pick up far left, and Bayliss will pick up left of centre, with both the moderate votes from within the former T&G and Amicus sections. Bayliss has never been far right, and the far right are likely to vote for nobody unless they vote on sectional terms i.e. he is Amicus he is T&G. But you are right though, Bayliss will also pick up old AEU/AEEU and retired members…