Unions flex their muscles
By Ian Dunt
Trade unions were making their presence felt on the British political agenda today, as Peter Mandelson took the first steps to outline public sector cuts under Labour.
After meeting in Chequers late last week unions made a series of public statements designed to take control of the political landscape as the conference season stepped into gear.
The Trade Unions Congress (TUC) criticised Conservative plans to scale back public spending if they attain power.
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Meanwhile, Unite kept up the pressure on the government, by describing privatisation initiatives as a ‘Trojan Horse’ which could “seriously undermine” the NHS.
The comments come after Derek Simpson, the general secretary of Unite, told the Mirror last week that Gordon Brown “behaved like a rabbit in the headlights, suffering a paralysis for fear his colleagues are going to whip the knives out and stab him.”
He went on: “Labour has got to be more clear that it is on the side of working people, rather than give the impression it backs big business.”
Mr Simpson later clarified the statement, stressing Mr Brown had his full support and that he was “the only choice to lead the party in the next election”.
Unite was backing motions at the TUC today calling for an end to the privatisation of the NHS and ensuring that services remain within the NHS and delivered by NHS staff.
Mr Brown will be addressing the TUC conference tomorrow, when he can expect a mixed reception.
The union movement is split on the issue of his leadership, with some activists calling for him to be given greater support against a resurgent Tory party and others convinced a new leader must be found before the general election to prevent a huge Conservative majority.
But unions themselves were in the media spotlight today after an interview with a Westminster insider for the Times alleged that 46 full-time and 87 part-time union officials earn up to £60,000 a year at the taxpayers’ expense.
The union activity formed the backdrop of a major speech by Lord Mandelson today in which he outlined the government’s spending strategy and refused to rule out cuts in some of the government’s flagship programmes.
The speech is being seen as a concerted attempt to map out the new ‘dividing lines’ between Labour and the Tories ahead of the upcoming general election campaign.
The prime minister has given up on defining the difference between the parties as one of ‘Tory cuts vs Labour spending’ and is instead focusing on a responsible approach to cuts rather than an ideological, market-reliant approach favoured by the opposition.
