In the aftermath of last week’s Scottish referendum the big political issue is the impact on the UK Parliament of greater devolved powers to Scotland, namely to what extent if any should Scottish MPs be excluded from voting at Westminster on say, matters affecting English public services. UNISON conference delegates might consider that this is one area where the union has been ahead of its time.
Over ten years ago UNISON NDC approved a report on bargaining and devolution which led to a simple rule change which dealt with the new reality of bargaining structures in devolved administrations and thus empowered the standing orders committee to make recommendations on restricting voting to delegates covered by specific negotiating machinery. Who are the modernisers and who are the dinosaurs?
