Forum Brief: Labour's union links

Labour has been warned by outgoing TUC chief, John Monks, that is facing the prospect of a number of unions severing links with the party.

"Disaffiliation is an issue the unions are talking about. Some of the usual suspects are rather resigned to it and one or two of the other unions are as well," he said.

Forum Response: Transport Salaried Staffs' Association

Richard Rosser, general secretary of the TSSA, told ePolitix.com: "Although the current general secretary elections mean that the political leadership of some unions could be changing, it is important that all affiliated unions value their links with the Labour party.

"Last week, TSSA has been debating its support for Labour and the use of our political fund at our union's annual conference. Our delegates passed a motion reaffirming their support for the party.

"TSSA's members realise that they can't get policies with which they disagree changed by walking away from the party which unions set up. They also recognise that Labour is the only party who can deliver policies which will benefit working people.

"However, it is time unions were less complacent about the realpolitik of general elections. One day the Tories will be a serious threat again, but it will be too late by then to suddenly swing behind the Labour Party, if in previous years the only message from the unions has been largely negative.

"Unions should be shouting now about what Labour has achieved - as a result of their influence - and not just about how, in the view of a vocal minority, the government has let them down."