UNISON Labour Link
REPORT 2005
We're winning some of the votes!
2005 was the year of Labour's third successive General Election
victory. We should not forget the central roles played by UNISON
and other unions in creating a climate of popular opinion which
ensured that the winning party was one which makes the better
delivery of public services, and increasing investment to support
that, the main domestic issues - whatever our disagreements
with the Labour government on how to do that, and on some international
issues.
90 day detention
Labour's decreased majority has focused attention on Tony
Blair's ability to get some of his least popular proposals through
Parliament. Already, on 90-day detention in the Terrorism Bill
the government has experienced its first defeat in the Commons.
Mark Lazarowicz (MP for Edinburgh North) and Davy Hamilton (MP
for Midlothian) were among the Labour MPs who opposed this.
Gavin Strang (MP for Edinburgh East) abstained.
In this branch we have given support to those Edinburgh MPs
who have voted in line with UNISON policy even if it conflicts
with the government's position.
Locally there have been two major issues which the Council's
Labour administration have put to a popular vote; and they have
lost both. Although the branch did not take a position on the
Congestion Charging referendum, we can regret that the investment
in transport infrastructure which would have arisen from it
has been lost.
Housing Stock Transfer
On Housing Stock transfer, Labour Link delegates to local
Labour Party CLPs argued forcefully from the start that the
administration had adopted the wrong policy and were misjudging
the mood of both the party and the tenants.
In applauding the outcome of the vote, against transfer, we
can all the same deplore the loss of investment in social housing
as well. Politically we should, however, focus attention on
the ridiculous prescription from the Treasury that that investment
is only available on condition of stock transfer - making decisions
on the future of social housing depend on the choice of current
tenants about their landlord.
This put many Labour councillors who were not in principle
enthusiastic about stock transfer between a rock and hard place.
Those who anticipate a more UNISON-friendly government on Blair's
resignation should note the Chancellor's hand in this.
The branch's Labour Link activists, though few in number, continue
to press for the vigorous pursuit of UNISON policy, both within
the Labour Link structures and in the Labour Party.
Forum success
Our motions were agreed at the 2005 Scottish Forum of Labour
Link: on Opposing Trident Replacement; and Policy on Public
Services - which requires Labour Link to report on why the Labour
Party's policy processes make it so hard to discuss the core
issues of principle about how public services are funded; and
what we can do about it.
In this regard, although it seems a long time ago, the efforts
of the UNISON delegation to Scottish Labour Party conference
to improve the policymaking processes, giving support and leadership
to the Revitalise coalition, should be noted.
Similarly, UNISON has played a key role in creating the unity
between major trade unions which saw a number of victories at
the UK Labour Party conference - including the one against the
government policy on housing stock transfer.
At least we are winning some of the votes these days. Getting
them implemented, that is, getting leading Labour politicians
to listen to the party, remains to be done.
Matthew Creighton
LabourLink Officer
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