UNISON political fund is a key tool in fight against the cuts‏

National Delegate Conference this morning voted for a strong and effective political fund.

After a childish and offensive stunt from a West Midlands delegate conference eventually kicked off day 2 with a debate on motion 91 on the political fund. In moving the motion Keith Sonnet called on all branches to use the political fund in the fight against the cuts.

Action in defence of public services is both industrial and political and we need a strong and effective Political Fund he declared. Keith also confirmed that the NEC would act on the recommendations contained in it’s report on the 'Review of Political Fund Effectiveness'.

Mike Kirby from Scotland moved amendment 91.02, which was adopted, stressing the importance of broadening participation to include political fund levy payers. This he argued would strengthen the political influence of our Labour Link.

In a bizarre twist in the debate on the substantive motion, the Socialist Party attempted to throw out the whole report and the status quo challenging amendments. It was redolent of their sectarian call for a no vote in the 2005 statutory political fund ballot and the negligible support received from delegates is a welcome reality check about their marginal influence at Conference.