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.guardian.co.uk/politics/2013/jul/24/union-len-mccluskey-ed-miliband-reforms

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

Version 0 Version 1
Union leader Len McCluskey backs Ed Miliband's reform plans Union leader Len McCluskey backs Ed Miliband's reform plans
(2 months later)
Len McCluskey, the general secretary of Unite, Labour's biggest financial backer, has given his most unambiguous support so far for Ed Miliband's plans to reform the Labour party's links with the unions, saying there was no point defending a status quo that had not worked for his union or its members.Len McCluskey, the general secretary of Unite, Labour's biggest financial backer, has given his most unambiguous support so far for Ed Miliband's plans to reform the Labour party's links with the unions, saying there was no point defending a status quo that had not worked for his union or its members.
Speaking to his union executive, he admitted the union-party relationship was strained – fuelled by the failures and disappointments of Labour in office, not least its refusal to address the legal impediments trade unions have to work under in Britain.Speaking to his union executive, he admitted the union-party relationship was strained – fuelled by the failures and disappointments of Labour in office, not least its refusal to address the legal impediments trade unions have to work under in Britain.
But McCluskey praised Miliband's plans to introduce individual voluntary affiliation to the party of the trade union's political levy-payers.But McCluskey praised Miliband's plans to introduce individual voluntary affiliation to the party of the trade union's political levy-payers.
He said: "I know that some pundits were expecting me to reject them outright.He said: "I know that some pundits were expecting me to reject them outright.
"To re-run the experience of the last generation on this issue – the party leader says something, the unions reject it and have no positive proposals of their own; the first plan goes through anyway and we look like not just losers, but conservative losers."To re-run the experience of the last generation on this issue – the party leader says something, the unions reject it and have no positive proposals of their own; the first plan goes through anyway and we look like not just losers, but conservative losers.
"We all honour our movement's traditions, but this is one tradition overdue for a change. Unite is doing things differently in one area of our work after another, including politics.""We all honour our movement's traditions, but this is one tradition overdue for a change. Unite is doing things differently in one area of our work after another, including politics."
At the same time, McCluskey admitted the relationship between union and party had "been worsened by the feeling that for a long time we have been taken for granted by people who welcome our money, but not our policy input, who want to use our resources at election time but do not want our members as candidates.At the same time, McCluskey admitted the relationship between union and party had "been worsened by the feeling that for a long time we have been taken for granted by people who welcome our money, but not our policy input, who want to use our resources at election time but do not want our members as candidates.
"And all this in an environment when ordinary people in all walks of life have become increasingly disengaged from and disenchanted with politics and politicians.""And all this in an environment when ordinary people in all walks of life have become increasingly disengaged from and disenchanted with politics and politicians."
Urging his union to have an open mind to the proposals, he said: "No one has said that the 20th century should go on for ever, and that in 2013 the labour movement should be structured in exactly the same way as in 1913.Urging his union to have an open mind to the proposals, he said: "No one has said that the 20th century should go on for ever, and that in 2013 the labour movement should be structured in exactly the same way as in 1913.
"In a nutshell, we have to be interested in outcomes, not processes. Why dig in behind a status quo that has not worked for us?"In a nutshell, we have to be interested in outcomes, not processes. Why dig in behind a status quo that has not worked for us?
"The block vote didn't stop a Labour government invading Iraq. Affiliation didn't keep Labour out of the clutches of the banks and the City. Our special relationship didn't get the union laws repealed."The block vote didn't stop a Labour government invading Iraq. Affiliation didn't keep Labour out of the clutches of the banks and the City. Our special relationship didn't get the union laws repealed.
"So don't let anyone say that the status quo is worth defending. And don't let's be dishonest with ourselves.""So don't let anyone say that the status quo is worth defending. And don't let's be dishonest with ourselves."
Critics have warned the plan to ask individual union levy payers to affiliate voluntarily to Labour could bankrupt the party if very few decide to take up the offer. Some have predicted that as few as 50,000 Unite members would agree to join the party. At present the union affiliates 1 million members at £3 per person each year.Critics have warned the plan to ask individual union levy payers to affiliate voluntarily to Labour could bankrupt the party if very few decide to take up the offer. Some have predicted that as few as 50,000 Unite members would agree to join the party. At present the union affiliates 1 million members at £3 per person each year.
The reform could have consequences for the size of the union vote at conference and on the Labour national executive.The reform could have consequences for the size of the union vote at conference and on the Labour national executive.
McCluskey said he wanted his union to engage with the review set up by Miliband and being overseen by the former Labour general secretary Lord Collins.McCluskey said he wanted his union to engage with the review set up by Miliband and being overseen by the former Labour general secretary Lord Collins.
He said: "Our main aim is to ensure that as many Unite members as possible, already paying our political levy, now sign up individually, by whatever means have transparency and integrity, to be affiliate members of the party.He said: "Our main aim is to ensure that as many Unite members as possible, already paying our political levy, now sign up individually, by whatever means have transparency and integrity, to be affiliate members of the party.
"For that to work, and for the trade unions to put their shoulders to the wheel to make it work, the offer has to be an attractive one."For that to work, and for the trade unions to put their shoulders to the wheel to make it work, the offer has to be an attractive one.
"Above all, that means a Labour party that our members want to support, because they believe it can and will make a difference in their lives."Above all, that means a Labour party that our members want to support, because they believe it can and will make a difference in their lives.
"Not a party that is a pinkish shadow of the present coalition that gives the City a veto over economic decisions and embraces the austerity agenda squeezing the life out of the country."Not a party that is a pinkish shadow of the present coalition that gives the City a veto over economic decisions and embraces the austerity agenda squeezing the life out of the country.
"But a party that offers real hope, that stands up for the poor and vulnerable, that puts growth at the heart of its agenda, that confronts privilege."But a party that offers real hope, that stands up for the poor and vulnerable, that puts growth at the heart of its agenda, that confronts privilege.
"A party that makes the 2015 election a real and vivid choice as to the future of our country, not one that leaves the electorate indifferent."A party that makes the 2015 election a real and vivid choice as to the future of our country, not one that leaves the electorate indifferent.
"If it does this, then this scheme will work. But if our members are unclear as to the answer then no amount of persuading will get them to sign up."If it does this, then this scheme will work. But if our members are unclear as to the answer then no amount of persuading will get them to sign up.
"I believe that Labour under Ed Miliband can be that party – a party that our members want to support because it feels like their party.""I believe that Labour under Ed Miliband can be that party – a party that our members want to support because it feels like their party."
Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning.