ONE LAW for Blairites, another for the rest. That's New Labour.
For unions which blatantly ignored any democratic procedures but opted to vote for Blair's declaration of loyalty to the capitalist market sysтем. шеге were no qucstions asked.
Among these were not only the hard-right AEEU, which did not conduct a ballot but a so-called "opinion poll', and John Edmonds' hard-blowing and undemocratic GMB, which after months of blustering hints of opposition eventually plumped for onslaught. Blair's clause, but also the shopworkers' union USDAW, which left the vote to its conference delegates after a speech from Tony Blair.
Apparently it is alright for delegates to decide when they back Tony, but not if they don't.
The two major unions which decided, quite properly according to their own rules, but without a ballot, to stand in defence of Clause Four were UNISON and the TGWU.
Both unions conducted consultations according to their own constitution. The TGWU decision was made, as always, by its elected lay delegation to cials. Labour Conference; the UNISON vote was cast by elected delegates to its Affiliated Political Fund after extensive regional forums. Had either or both of them voted for Blair, nothing more would have been said.
Instead both unions
dermine Rodney BickerSON. that held the line for Clause Four. the RMT, GPMU, FBU, Empty words: Edmonds have faced a two-pronged On the public level, there has been a huge ion rights. campaign led by Blair's team attacking their leaders for being out of touch speeches and votes a and their decision not to conduct membership ballots, blandly ignoring the problems of cost and the organisational effort that GMB voted for Clause this would have involved. Four, Blair would have Lists feat.
Indeed UNISON is even now wrestling with the huge problem of assembling a full central membership list to conduct a ballot on NHS pay, with the grim echoes of last year's NATFHE judgement ringing in the ears of offiThe second level of attack is being waged behind the scenes. Blair's gang has stepped up the 'dirty war' of arm-twisting ship. and manipulation, openly promoting the right wing candidacy of Jack Dromey against a floundering Bill Morris for the TGWU lead- vote for Blair.