UCATT rejects attempt to break Labour link

The UCATT annual conference backed a motion which recognised "the crucial role this union plays within the Labour Party" and condemned Tory-led proposals to cap union donations at £50,000.

Scotland region delegate Paul Mooney conceded that many trade unionists would be wondering why they should continue to back the Labour Party after their experiences under new Labour.

But he recalled life under previous Tory administrations, where workers suffered the mass closures of shipyards, the destruction of heavy industry and the introduction of draconian anti-union laws.

He warned that the Tories were waiting in the wings to form a government, along with their "billionaire friends," itching to mount fresh attacks on working people.

Mr Mooney stressed that the problems with new Labour were clear for all to see and he argued that the way forward was to stay close to the party and work hard to "change it back to a rank-and-file socialist party."

But London and South East region delegate Tony O'Brien questioned whether UCATT should be involved in funding a party that showed no inclination to fight for working people.

"We've got to be honest. Labour has maintained the Tory anti-union laws and even strengthened them in some respects," he said, pointing out that, under new Labour, the wealth of the richest 1,000 people in Britain had quadrupled.

"If you want to campaign within the Labour Party for progressive policies and to change it, then great, more power to your elbow," added Mr O'Brien.

"But the likes of Mick Clapham MP (UCATT parliamentary group chairman) are few and far between. Let's campaign for progressive policies and progressive candidates, whether they be Labour candidates or from other socialist parties."

Executive member Neil Andrews agreed that the "terrible" local election results on May 1 were a "terrible indictment of the Labour government's failure to engage with working class people."

But he warned that this merely opened the door for the Tories and also reminded delegates of the numerous attacks on working people by the Tory governments of the 1980s and '90s.