This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/oct/03/conservatives-stop-militant-leftwing-councils-boycotting-products

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Tories to stop 'militant leftwing' councils boycotting products 'Militant leftwing' councils to be blocked from boycotting products
(35 minutes later)
Councils and local authorities are to be blocked from boycotting Israeli products or pursuing other foreign policy goals that conflict with the government.Councils and local authorities are to be blocked from boycotting Israeli products or pursuing other foreign policy goals that conflict with the government.
Conservative aides said the measure was a response to growing concern about the “militant actions of leftwing councils” that they claimed was spurred on by the Labour leadership.Conservative aides said the measure was a response to growing concern about the “militant actions of leftwing councils” that they claimed was spurred on by the Labour leadership.
The new rules will stop politically motivated boycott and divestment campaigns by town halls against UK defence companies and against Israel.The new rules will stop politically motivated boycott and divestment campaigns by town halls against UK defence companies and against Israel.
The Cabinet Office minister, Matthew Hancock, said the action was intended to prevent “playground politics” from councils.The Cabinet Office minister, Matthew Hancock, said the action was intended to prevent “playground politics” from councils.
The government will amend pension legislation to make clear that using pensions and procurement policies to pursue boycotts, divestments and sanctions campaigns against other countries and the UK defence industry are inappropriate, unless they are in line with action on a national level.The government will amend pension legislation to make clear that using pensions and procurement policies to pursue boycotts, divestments and sanctions campaigns against other countries and the UK defence industry are inappropriate, unless they are in line with action on a national level.
Related: London council sets up as private landlordRelated: London council sets up as private landlord
Local authorities have in the past introduced investment or boycott policies designed to punish companies and countries they disagree with politically. Last November, Leicester city council agreed a boycott on products from Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.Local authorities have in the past introduced investment or boycott policies designed to punish companies and countries they disagree with politically. Last November, Leicester city council agreed a boycott on products from Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.
The crackdown against such actions by councils will be contained in new procurement policy guidance.The crackdown against such actions by councils will be contained in new procurement policy guidance.
The communities and local government secretary, Greg Clark, said: “Divisive policies undermine good community relations, and harm the economic security of families by pushing up council tax.The communities and local government secretary, Greg Clark, said: “Divisive policies undermine good community relations, and harm the economic security of families by pushing up council tax.
“We need to challenge and prevent the politics of division. Conservatives will provide the stable, competent and sensible government that working people want to see.”“We need to challenge and prevent the politics of division. Conservatives will provide the stable, competent and sensible government that working people want to see.”