Delegates from across the country attended UNISON’s conference for local government workers in Brighton from 14th-15th June, with over 25 participating in a Trade Unionists for a New Party fringe meeting held on the Sunday evening.

The meeting was convened to enable an open discussion about political representation with the chair, Saffy Hill-Chambers from Surrey local government UNISON, highlighting that similar discussions are occurring throughout the country.

UNISON NEC member Jim McFarlane introduced the discussion, speaking in a personal capacity. He outlined the collapse in support for Starmer’s Labour in May’s elections, after continuing Tory austerity measures, including in the NHS and local government. He warned of the rise of electoral support for Reform, including among UNISON members, which is exploiting the political vacuum created by the failures of Labour, and of the SNP in Scotland.

Although only 13.7% of UNISON members pay into the ‘Labour Link’ fund, this minority dictates union political policy. Motions to debate the union’s relationship with Labour had been ruled off the agenda of the main conference meeting later in the week. He called on UNISON general secretary Andrea Egan to deliver on her pledge to review this relationship. Pointing to Unite the Union’s decision to cut its contribution to Labour by £600,000, he asked why UNISON continues to give £3 million annually to a political party that does not represent trade union interests.

In a wide-ranging discussion, one UNISON activist said members who had supported Andrea Egan would start to have doubts if there is not action on achieving her manifesto aims. A member of the Broxtowe Alliance, a UNISON member, reported that they won seats after 20 councillors left Labour.

Others outlined how, if unions were to use their funds flexibly, they could back candidates who genuinely support working-class policies. Whereas current UNISON rules mean the union cannot even back its own members if they run as independent or socialist candidates.

The case was made for a debate within the union, and for a trade union conference to debate political representation. Within that the case could be put forward for a new workers’ party based on organised workers in the unions, with an alternative that puts public ownership, workers’ rights, an end to council cuts, and socialist policies at the centre of its platform. The battle to put UNISON at the fore of this debate goes on. ■

This meeting, email campaigning, and other activity promoting the Trade Unionists for a New Party, have all been sponsored by the Trade Unionist and Socialist Coalition (TUSC). Please make a donation if you can towards our costs, at https://www.tusc.org.uk/donations/donate-to-tusc/