On 31st August members of the retail and distribution workers’ union USDAW joined a Zoom meeting to discuss how we build support in our union – one of the biggest Labour affiliated unions – for a new party of the working-class.

This meeting was one of a series of follow-ups to the national trade union meeting on 21st July, chaired by Dave Nellist, the former Labour MP (1983-1992) and now the chair of the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC), and addressed by Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana shortly before they made the ‘Your Party’ announcement that has then quickly gathered such massive support.

Iain Dalton, secretary of the USDAW Broad Left, speaking in a personal capacity, introduced the discussion outlining the anger of union members at the policies of the Labour government, such as cutting pensioners’ Winter Fuel Allowance.  This had been demonstrated by the near unanimous condemnation of this move at this year’s USDAW’s annual delegate meeting (ADM).  The government has also attacked disability benefits, failed to repeal the two-child benefit cap, and betrayed the WASPI women over their pensions, all against union policy as Iain pointed out.  No wonder the question was raised at the ADM of the accountability of the USDAW group of MPs to union members and the policies we agree.

In fact Keir Starmer’s leadership has suspended Labour MPs who have voted for USDAW policies, such as scrapping the two-child benefit cap.  And former USDAW equalities officer Ruth George was blocked from standing again for her seat as a Labour candidate.  USDAW members will be rightly asking why are we giving support to Labour MPs who have not backed us on these issues, Iain argued, and not to elected representatives from the workers’ movement who have supported our policies?

What’s possible in USDAW

The meeting discussed Rule 34 of the USDAW rulebook, ‘Connections with Other Organisations’, where there does not seem to be any clause which would prevent USDAW nationally from supporting MPs or councillors who back USDAW policies regardless of their status with the Labour Party.

What is restricted though is branches’ ability to spend political funds, limited to only what is “compatible with support for the Labour Party” (in Rule 34, 2b).  A special delegate meeting is scheduled for 2026 where branches could propose amendments to this and any other rules and it was agreed to draft motions to go to that meeting taking up this issue.

Much of the union’s rules around political representation, including affiliation and the official support of candidates, are in the hands of ADM decisions, and ultimately implemented by USDAW’s National Executive Committee (NEC).  Frustration at the outgoing USDAW leadership and current NEC was expressed by many in the meeting, including former USDAW president Amy Murphy.

With the next round of the election process for the union president and NEC due to start in autumn 2026, supporters of a new workers’ party should consider standing for such positions, with these issues being part of the fighting programme needed for USDAW, as well as lobby all candidates as to their position.

It was agreed to organise a follow-up meeting soon to prepare potential motions for the 2026 ADM, and encourage all union activists enthused by Corbyn and Sultana’s initiative to join in the discussion about how we can fight for a real political voice for USDAW members. ■