TRAIN drivers’ union Aslef could cut its historic ties to Labour if a motion to its 2022 conference passes.

A union source confirmed to the Morning Star that Aslef’s annual conference will debate a motion to disaffiliate – potentially ending a relationship going back more than a century. 

If delegates at May’s meeting in Bournemouth back the move, the union would be the second to sever ties after bakers’ union BFAWU voted to disaffiliate in September, citing a “factional internal war” by the Labour leadership. 

In this case, the motion is being driven by leftwingers disillusioned by party leader Sir Keir Starmer, Scottish members keen to build closer ties with the SNP and some on the right of the union who do not usually vote Labour, the source said. 

Aslef’s relationship with the party began in 1903.

General secretary Mick Whelan is also chairman of the Trade Union and Labour Party Liaison Organisation – a key group which sees union and party officials discuss policy and other issues. 

Mr Whelan is said to be personally supportive of affiliation but the vote “could be close,” the source added.

A Labour source told the Sunday Mirror newspaper that the party wanted the union to stay, arguing: “That’s in Labour’s interests and will ensure Aslef continues to have a strong voice.”

The revelation follows Unite’s threat to cut its party funding last week after Coventry’s Labour-run council employed agency drivers to collect rubbish as bin workers strike over poverty pay rates.

Sir Keir dismissed the warning, prompting condemnation from Labour’s left which urged the party to work with unions to fight “common foes.”