Unions set to oppose Miliband’s party reform plans

By Mark Ferguson / @markfergusonuk

Ed Miliband looks set to face strong opposition from trade unions in his bid to open up trade union membership lists to local Labour parties, and dilute the influence held by the unions at Labour Party
conference, both of which were proposed by the Labour leader only a few days ago.

According to a senior union source, there is serious opposition to the idea of opening up union membership lists so that CLPs can contact political levy payees (i.e. union members who are affiliate members of the party) living in their area. One union is said to have argued that they are unable to split their membership lists along such lines, and wouldn’t be able to do so for local Labour parties.

Meanwhile, plans to dilute the union vote at conference have been met with even stiffer opposition. The plans, we are told, will be introduced “over seven million dead bodies”.

A source close to Ed Miliband said:

“We need to make the most of our unique relationship with three million working trade unionists, but we haven’t done anything as a party to reach out to these men and women. It no surprise that very few of them are involved in our party.”

“As a logical first step, local Labour Parties all over the country should invite these people along to meetings and build a relationship with them.”