FEATURE Political fund ballot DON’T MAKE THAT Don’t let Thatcher’s dalek laws silence


Ever since there have been trade unions, Conservative governments have wanted to silence them – most notoriously Margaret Thatcher and John Major’s Tory governments of the 80s and 90s.


In 1984 Margaret Thatcher sought to gag unions by


imposing a ten-yearly members’ ballot to decide whether union money could be spent on political campaigning and affiliations.


To date Thatcher’s silencing laws have failed. But as Unite prepares to campaign for a yes vote in its first political fund ballot, members need to know what could be at risk if they don’t vote yes.


Unite’s political director Steve Hart has a stark warning. “Let’s be clear. If we don’t have a political fund then the defence of working people will be eliminated by the 24 millionaires in the Cabinet. Margaret Thatcher always wanted to emasculate trade unions and thought she would do so by getting union members to vote against a political fund. It is vital members vote yes in the forthcoming ballot. Don’t make Thatcher’s day.”


Carry on campaigning This spring Unite will be


asking members to vote yes in a political fund ballot so the union can carry on campaigning against cuts to


services and for jobs and a growing economy.


By law, such campaigns have to be paid for from Unite’s political Political


fund. campaigning


could include lobbying for jobs and a future for your children, an advertising campaign to defend our NHS, or a rally for better workplace rights to gain the support of a political party. Without the political fund your union would not be able to campaign effectively on issues that affect you.


You might say Unite should focus on work-related issues. Indeed we do. Unite seeks wage improvements, negotiates better terms and conditions, defends jobs, represents members at legal, medical and disciplinary hearings. But the decisions and laws made by politicians affect your interests at work. We all rely on decent public services and a healthy economy for our livelihoods. So Unite must be able to campaign in the political arena to defend your interests.


And the ability to continue to be able to do this is what Unite members will be voting on. A Yes vote is essential. If Unite loses the ballot we will lose the ability to campaign effectively on all the issues that matter.


Under legislation passed by the Tory Thatcher government back in 1984, Mrs Thatcher’s intention was to deal a body blow to trade unions. She wanted union members to reject having a political fund but in the event she scored an own goal.


Members of all unions balloting then and ever since have voted decisively to keep their political funds, including Unite’s predecessor unions the TGWU and Amicus.


Unite needs this fund so it can lobby MPs and local councillors – whether Conservative, Lib Dem, Labour, SNP Plaid Cymru or any other party – on issues that affect our members and their families.


18 uniteWORKS January/February 2013


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