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Labour's reputation at stake in Falkirk union row, says former minister Labour's reputation at stake in Falkirk union row, says former minister
(3 months later)
The row over the role of the Unite union in Labour parliamentary selections has escalated following a warning by the former minister Kim Howells that the party's reputation is at stake.The row over the role of the Unite union in Labour parliamentary selections has escalated following a warning by the former minister Kim Howells that the party's reputation is at stake.
Howells, a former National Union of Mineworkers official, was responding to allegations that Unite may have attempted to influence the selection in Falkirk by signing up members to the Labour party without informing them, or by altering the date on which they joined.Howells, a former National Union of Mineworkers official, was responding to allegations that Unite may have attempted to influence the selection in Falkirk by signing up members to the Labour party without informing them, or by altering the date on which they joined.
With few MPs willing to discuss the issue in public, Howells, a former Labour MP, challenged the legitimacy of the union-party relationship.With few MPs willing to discuss the issue in public, Howells, a former Labour MP, challenged the legitimacy of the union-party relationship.
He told BBC Radio 4's World at One: "Labour finds itself in this extraordinary historical position where most of its funding comes from what is essentially an interest group, one which was there at the birth of the Labour movement. There are many people in the trade union movement who feel that if we pay the piper we are going to call the tune.He told BBC Radio 4's World at One: "Labour finds itself in this extraordinary historical position where most of its funding comes from what is essentially an interest group, one which was there at the birth of the Labour movement. There are many people in the trade union movement who feel that if we pay the piper we are going to call the tune.
"He [Ed Miliband] has got to face up to it because I think this threatens the whole reputation of the Labour party.""He [Ed Miliband] has got to face up to it because I think this threatens the whole reputation of the Labour party."
He said it was "absolutely crazy" to let unions pay the party membership fees of their members.He said it was "absolutely crazy" to let unions pay the party membership fees of their members.
Labour's central command has taken over the constituency party in Falkirk and barred anyone recruited before last March from voting in the selection, excluding dozens of Unite members.Labour's central command has taken over the constituency party in Falkirk and barred anyone recruited before last March from voting in the selection, excluding dozens of Unite members.
Unite, Labour's largest single financial backer, has accused the party of operating a behind-the-scenes smear campaign, and has not ruled out legal action.Unite, Labour's largest single financial backer, has accused the party of operating a behind-the-scenes smear campaign, and has not ruled out legal action.
The dispute goes wider than Falkirk partly due to the high-profile Labour figures involved on either side, and partly because Unite's determination to have greater influence in the party is being exploited by the Conservatives.The dispute goes wider than Falkirk partly due to the high-profile Labour figures involved on either side, and partly because Unite's determination to have greater influence in the party is being exploited by the Conservatives.
The polls are starting to show a slide in the Labour poll lead, and there is little sign that the party is making inroads in winning back those who still blame it for Britain's economic problems.The polls are starting to show a slide in the Labour poll lead, and there is little sign that the party is making inroads in winning back those who still blame it for Britain's economic problems.
Nick Clegg, starting a new schedule of monthly press conferences on Monday, will step up his efforts to win back former Liberal Democrats who have defected to Labour.Nick Clegg, starting a new schedule of monthly press conferences on Monday, will step up his efforts to win back former Liberal Democrats who have defected to Labour.
Referring to Labour's recent decision to take government spending plans for 2015-16 as its starting point, Clegg will claim that Labour "has gone from taking no position on the economy to every position".Referring to Labour's recent decision to take government spending plans for 2015-16 as its starting point, Clegg will claim that Labour "has gone from taking no position on the economy to every position".
He is hopeful that after three years of Labour criticism over accepting Tory austerity, he can now go on the front foot and win back his disilusioned former supporters.He is hopeful that after three years of Labour criticism over accepting Tory austerity, he can now go on the front foot and win back his disilusioned former supporters.
The Falkirk vacancy emerged when the MP Eric Joyce was kicked out of the party after committing an assault in a House of Commons bar.The Falkirk vacancy emerged when the MP Eric Joyce was kicked out of the party after committing an assault in a House of Commons bar.
An internal report considered by officers of Labour's ruling national executive committee at an emergency meeting last week found "sufficient evidence for concern" about the legitimacy of some new recruits to the Falkirk party. The report has not been published and any individuals allegedly responsible for manipulating party rules have not been named.An internal report considered by officers of Labour's ruling national executive committee at an emergency meeting last week found "sufficient evidence for concern" about the legitimacy of some new recruits to the Falkirk party. The report has not been published and any individuals allegedly responsible for manipulating party rules have not been named.
Unite's general secretary, Len McCluskey, has written to union members in Falkirk voicing opposition to Labour's stance.Unite's general secretary, Len McCluskey, has written to union members in Falkirk voicing opposition to Labour's stance.
He claims that Labour members in Falkirk are being ignored and that Unite is being criticised by Blairites for taking a more active role in the party.He claims that Labour members in Falkirk are being ignored and that Unite is being criticised by Blairites for taking a more active role in the party.
The union's new political officer, Jennie Formby, said Labour's handling of the issue "would tax Kafka's imagination – found guilty before we have even heard the charges".The union's new political officer, Jennie Formby, said Labour's handling of the issue "would tax Kafka's imagination – found guilty before we have even heard the charges".
She said the union was within its rights and the party's rules for the union to pay the party membership fees of its members.She said the union was within its rights and the party's rules for the union to pay the party membership fees of its members.
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