The RMT Shows the Way

By Hilary Wainwright

In Britain, the union-Labour party link is the most important relationship on the left of politics. It seems to be fracturing, with the Blairites quite happy with this. Their project has always included severing this link

In Britain, the union-Labour party link is the most important relationship on the left of politics. It seems to be fracturing, with the Blairites quite happy with this. Their project has always included severing this link.

An important change for unions in Scotland has been the rise of the Scottish Socialist Party as an obvious alternative way to use their Political Funds (use of the fund has to be OKed by members under British law).

With the Labour Party in government, the temptation for union leaders is strong to buddy up to the central power rather than concentrate on their membership. This is coming to a head now with members angry at the policies of New Labour on a host of issues.

A new group of leftish union leaders is aware of the need for a change in their campaigning and links. New relationships with social movements, radical campaigning and learning from the currents that are developing through the World Social Forums, amongst other places could see a way for unions to re-invent their role and their relationship with traditional British politics. Articles from those at the Mumbai World Social Forum, discussion of the RMT split and expulsion from the Labour Party, and in depth accounts of the Labour Party's attacks on the BBC highlight the need for real change.

(Red Pepper. issue 117, March 2004)