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Miliband: Labour's union reforms will change politics Labour's union membership reforms approved
(35 minutes later)
Historic changes to Labour's links with the unions will lead to the voices of working people being heard "louder than ever before," Ed Miliband has said. Proposals to change the link between Labour and the unions have been approved at a special conference of party members.
The Labour leader wants to end the automatic affiliation of union members and introduce "one member, one vote" for leadership elections. It comes after leader Ed Miliband urged an end to the automatic affiliation of union members and the introduction of a "one member, one vote" system for leadership elections.
He has urged a special conference of party members to back the changes. Party members backed the changes by 86.29% in favour.
Unite boss Len McCluskey said the union would "rise to the challenge" of making the reforms work. Unite boss Len McCluskey said union members would "rise to the challenge".
But he also fired a broadside at Mr Miliband, who called the police in to investigate the alleged rigging of a Labour candidate selection by Unite in Falkirk, which sparked the reforms being debated today. But he also fired a broadside at Mr Miliband, who called the police in to investigate the alleged rigging of a Labour candidate selection by Unite in Falkirk, which sparked the reforms that have been debated today.
Mr McCluskey said the police should never have been called in and repeated his assertion that "my union has done nothing wrong" - other than what it was supposed to be doing, "encouraging our members to join the Labour Party".Mr McCluskey said the police should never have been called in and repeated his assertion that "my union has done nothing wrong" - other than what it was supposed to be doing, "encouraging our members to join the Labour Party".
To loud cheers from the crowd, he declared: "This is our party and we are going nowhere!"To loud cheers from the crowd, he declared: "This is our party and we are going nowhere!"
Mr Miliband said the moves would not just change Labour, but transform British politics. Addressing the conference after the vote, Mr Miliband said members had demonstrated they had the "courage to change".
Many members had recently felt the Labour Party had lost touch, he said, adding: "You were right."
But he said the changes would ensure the party "never loses touch again with the British people".
'Mass movement'
Earlier, Mr Miliband said the plans would not just change Labour, but transform British politics.
He received a standing ovation from union members, constituency MPs and members of local parties from around the country at London's ExCel centre, as he told them to "seize" the chance to change Labour.He received a standing ovation from union members, constituency MPs and members of local parties from around the country at London's ExCel centre, as he told them to "seize" the chance to change Labour.
Members are now voting on the proposals, which Mr Miliband said would attract thousands of new supporters to the party. Mr Miliband said the changes would attract thousands of new supporters to the party.
Millions of union members are automatically affiliated with Labour, but few take part in campaigning activities or even vote in general elections, Mr Miliband said. Under the current system, millions of union members are automatically affiliated with Labour, but few take part in campaigning activities or even vote in general elections, Mr Miliband said.
By being allowed to actively opt in to be a supporter, for a £3 fee, Mr Miliband said Labour would be transformed into a genuine "mass movement" again - in contrast to the Conservatives.By being allowed to actively opt in to be a supporter, for a £3 fee, Mr Miliband said Labour would be transformed into a genuine "mass movement" again - in contrast to the Conservatives.
"Today, we won't just be voting to open our doors. We'll be voting for the biggest transfer of power in the history of our party to our members and supporters," he said. Labour leadership elections have been decided by a complex electoral college system, with equal weight given to the votes of three groups - one third to MPs and MEPs, one third to ordinary party members and one third to trade unionists.
Mr Miliband won the last leadership election largely thanks to support from unions, but Unite boss Mr McCluskey said he suspected only 10% of its one million members affiliated to Labour would opt to stay in if they were asked now.Mr Miliband won the last leadership election largely thanks to support from unions, but Unite boss Mr McCluskey said he suspected only 10% of its one million members affiliated to Labour would opt to stay in if they were asked now.
An estimated 400,000 Unite members do not vote Labour - a situation Mr McCluskey said was untenable.An estimated 400,000 Unite members do not vote Labour - a situation Mr McCluskey said was untenable.
Members from the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition, which is not affiliated with Labour, have been holding a demonstration against the changes outside the centre.Members from the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition, which is not affiliated with Labour, have been holding a demonstration against the changes outside the centre.
Labour leadership elections are decided by a complex electoral college system, with equal weight given to the votes of three groups - one third to MPs and MEPs, one third to ordinary party members and one third to trade unionists. But Mr Miliband told the conference that a "one-member, one-vote" system would breathe new life into the party and complete a process started by former leader John Smith more than 30 years ago.
Mr Miliband said a "one-member, one-vote" system would breathe new life into the party and complete a process started by former leader John Smith more than 30 years ago.
'Party of equality''Party of equality'
Addressing Labour activists at the conference, the party leader pointed out that in leadership elections, an MP's vote was worth 1,000 times more than each party member's. Addressing Labour activists, the party leader pointed out that in leadership elections, an MP's vote was worth 1,000 times more than each party member's.
"Let's make ourselves the party of equality. Not just in the policies we propose. But in the politics we practice," he said."Let's make ourselves the party of equality. Not just in the policies we propose. But in the politics we practice," he said.
Mr Miliband said not everyone wanted to be a member of a political party and that people should not have to pay £45 to have a voice in Labour.Mr Miliband said not everyone wanted to be a member of a political party and that people should not have to pay £45 to have a voice in Labour.
He added: "I don't want to break the link with working people. I want to hear the voices of working people louder than ever before."He added: "I don't want to break the link with working people. I want to hear the voices of working people louder than ever before."
Mr Miliband's proposals have already led to the GMB union reducing its affiliation funding. Unite is to discuss its funding arrangements next week.Mr Miliband's proposals have already led to the GMB union reducing its affiliation funding. Unite is to discuss its funding arrangements next week.
GMB leader Paul Kenny and Unison's Dave Prentis said the changes were long overdue and the party needed to get them out of the way to focus on winning the next election.GMB leader Paul Kenny and Unison's Dave Prentis said the changes were long overdue and the party needed to get them out of the way to focus on winning the next election.
But some delegates have warned about diluting Labour's links with the unions.But some delegates have warned about diluting Labour's links with the unions.
One local party member - a retired postal worker - said the changes were being foisted on the party to appease the right wing media and the Conservatives.One local party member - a retired postal worker - said the changes were being foisted on the party to appease the right wing media and the Conservatives.
'Long overdue''Long overdue'
But, with Labour ministers, the party's ruling National Executive Committee and the big trade unions already signed up to them, Mr Miliband is expected to win the vote.But, with Labour ministers, the party's ruling National Executive Committee and the big trade unions already signed up to them, Mr Miliband is expected to win the vote.
Former Prime Minister Tony Blair is among those supporting the proposed reforms. Former prime minister Tony Blair is among those supporting the proposed reforms.
He said Mr Miliband had shown "real courage" on the issue, which was "long overdue" and a reform he should have made himself.He said Mr Miliband had shown "real courage" on the issue, which was "long overdue" and a reform he should have made himself.
Conservative Party chairman Grant Shapps dismissed the proposals as a "white flag" to union bosses, that allows them to tighten their "stranglehold" of the party.Conservative Party chairman Grant Shapps dismissed the proposals as a "white flag" to union bosses, that allows them to tighten their "stranglehold" of the party.
"It's the same old Labour - union bosses still pick the leader, buy the policies and rig the selections," Mr Shapps said."It's the same old Labour - union bosses still pick the leader, buy the policies and rig the selections," Mr Shapps said.
"Ed Miliband has shown he is too weak to stand up to the union bosses, and too weak to stand up for hardworking people.""Ed Miliband has shown he is too weak to stand up to the union bosses, and too weak to stand up for hardworking people."