Firefighters sever Labour links
The Fire Brigades Union (FBU) has voted to sever links with the Labour Party.
The decision had been widely anticipated following the much publicised anger amoung ordinary members at the Government’s handling of last summer’s strike.
Union leader Andy Gilchrist was not present at the vote due to illnesses but other Executive members argued to no avail for the FBU to remain part of Labour and promote change from within.
The decision from the delegates came after a debate at the annual conference in Southport, but there is no official reaction as of yet from the union’s leadership.
Labour has been the beneficiaries of around £50,000 a year from the union, which has supported the party for 86 years.
Delegates backed a resolution arguing that: “The aims and objectives of the Labour Party no longer reflect those of the FBU.”
The FBU is the second union to sever ties with the Labour Party after the RMT earlier in this year.
Links with the RMT were cut after the union gave money to other political parties include the Scottish Socialist party.
A further funding threat to the party has emerged from the Communication Workers Union (CWU) annual conference, where delegates backed a motion to suspend its annual contribution if a commitment to a publicly owned Post Office is not included in Labour’s next manifesto.
