Latest editorial
PARTISAN Tory attempts to cripple Labour’s finances by cutting off union funding could be defeated in the Lords after being criticised yesterday by the Prime Minister’s own ethics adviser.
Lord Bew, the chairman of the committee on standards in public life, said the plan, which is part of the Trade Union Bill, is “not in the spirit” of the committee’s advice.
Moving to an opt-in system for trade union political levy payers, whereby members would have to state in writing that they want to make a donation to Labour, was recommended by the committee in 2011.
Labour’s long-promised Act has scraped through the Lords. While the law marks a step forward, its lack of collective rights leaves workers short-changed — and sets the stage for a renewed campaign for an Employment Rights Bill #2, argues TONY BURKE
Investing the £75 billion slated for defence spending on a green new deal, healthcare and education would create jobs and help communities far more than weapons spending, argues UCU general secretary JO GRADY
Labour must not allow unelected members of the upper house to erode a single provision of the Employment Rights Bill, argues ANDY MCDONALD MP