POLITICAL FUND BALLOTS AND THE MUSICIANS UNION

Early day motion 1638, tabled 13 September 2004 by Lord Mann (Labour). Signed by 47 members.

That this House notes the recent ballot held by the Musicians' Union in which 74 per cent. voted to keep the political fund; further notes that under legislation introduced by the Conservative Government in 1984, trade unions wishing to contribute to political parties or engage in other political activities must establish a political fund; further notes that each union must ballot its members every 10 years on whether to retain this fund; recognises that all individual union members the right to opt out of paying into a political fund should they so chose; is concerned that trade unions bear an excessive financial burden in order to fulfil their natural role of representing their members' interest; and believes, in light of the Musicians' Union members' recent overwhelming vote in favour of retaining the union's political fund, that the Government should abolish the legislation that puts such excessive burdens on trade unions.

Signatures by party: Labour 44, Labour/Co-operative 3.