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Making our voice heard in the Labour Party

The Affiliated Political Fund, often known as UNISON Labour Link, works for UNISON through affiliation to the Labour Party at national and local levels.

We supported the election of Labour MSPs, particularly those whom we nominated, and Labour councillors. Then we worked to have the Labour administration of the Council and the Scottish Parliament adopt policies which benefit UNISON members.

UNISON achieves a lot of influence in this way. However, it would also be true to say that in some crucial areas the policies being pursued are opposed by UNISON - for example, the use of the Private Finance Initiative, under funding of public services and the dangers of ‘externalisation' through Best Value. So we have taken our arguments on these topics into the local constituency committees of the Labour Party, with some success, to its Policy Forums, and to councillors, MPs and MSPs.

We also contributed to the national policies of the APF, for instance on Welfare Reform.

It is important that as well as reflecting branch policy the APF Committee represents the views of APF levy payers, so we are planning a consultation exercise, early in 2000.

Anyone wishing to contribute to the APF activities, for instance through standing for the APF Committee or being a delegate to Labour Party meetings, should contact Matthew Creighton, tel: 0131 469 3616

Matthew Creighton, APF Officer