UNISON Political Fund Review – the changing political landscape (Q1 - Q3)

The consultation for the review of the political fund effectiveness is underway. Branches and other union bodies are being asked to feed in views by Friday 13 November. Here we give introduce a section of the consultation document and invite UNISONActive readers' views for publication.

The first section of the document reviews the changing political landscape and states that ‘the political terrain upon which UNISON operates is constantly shifting’.

Q1. What are the most important political and policy making processes affecting UNISON and its members?

The UK Parliament retains a pre-eminent funding and legislative role although since 1998 devolved administrations have gained ever increasing powers to govern those public services which employ most UNISON members. Local authorities remain a key local focus for UNISON as the lead local government union.

Q2. How will political, constitutional and policy changes impact on the union’s objectives and interests over the next five years?

A change of government is probable with a pro-market small state ideology driving the public policy agenda, public sector reform, marketisation and outsourcing, economic austerity measures, a reduction in the number of core public service workers and rising unemployment, potential devolution tensions, anti trade union legislation, undermining of national minimum wage and other employment rights. We need to learn from history. All these take us back not forward. We must learn from pre-1997.

Q3. In what ways should branches, regions and the national union change their methods of campaigning and political organisation to meet these challenges?

Engage with and mobilise members in support of the union’s political objectives, engage with political parties across the political spectrum, campaign for a more progressive Labour Party. We need to re-engage in politics and build a union based on defending public services. The wreck of the LP won't be rebuilt unless it re engages in the same battle

The views of UNISONActive readers on the political fund review are invited for publication. Please click here to submit views.

For an introduction to the review read:
http://unisonactive.blogspot.com/2009/10/how-can-unisons-political-fund-be-more.html

Click here for more Political Fund views