Johnson calls for reduced union power
The influence of trade unions over Labour party policy could be significantly cut under new proposals put forward by Alan Johnson today.
The trade and industry secretary – himself a former union leader – has said he would like to see the union vote at the annual party conference slashed from 50 per cent to just 15 per cent.
However, Mr Johnson’s suggestions, which are likely to be well-received by many within the party, have been met with outrage by union leaders. They said they will fight any attempt to change the current balance of power.
Ten years ago, the unions controlled 90 per cent of the vote at the Labour conference, but their influence has been steadily declining, and they now share an equal vote with party constituencies.
In an interview with The Times, however, Mr Johnson – formerly general secretary of the Communications Workers’ Union (CWU) – today said the unions were abusing their power by voting together and dictating policy to the rest of the party.
“Trade unions have been absolutely central to the founding of the party. But whether they should have 50 per cent of the voting at the party conference now . . . At the national policy forum they have about 15 per cent of the vote. That is a correct balance,” he said.
In his address to the TUC conference in Brighton in September, Mr Johnson insisted there would be no return to the 1970s and secondary picketing, which enabled unions to wield huge power over government.
And his comments today, which come as concern grows in the party about plans for the merger of the T&G, Amicus and GMB unions, indicate that he is intent on ensuring this with a change to Labour party rules.
“I think the problem is there now because what happens is that the four big unions vote together now no matter what the issue,” Mr Johnson told the newspaper.
“Then the Labour party gets angry and upset because they all support each other no matter what the issue so they are guaranteed a chunk of that vote.”
However, unions leaders were dismissive of the attempt to cut their power, with Amicus general secretary Derek Simpson vowing to fight any change.
Tony Woodley, leader of the T&G, saying: “It is no coincidence that the Blairites want to change the make-up of the conference and party since they’ve been losing votes.”
Meanwhile, acting GMB general secretary Paul Kenny said he would welcome a review of how policy is decided at the Labour party conference – the leadership has been accused of ignoring any decisions it disagrees with in recent years.
