POLITICAL FUND BALLOTS AND THE COMMUNITY UNION

Early day motion 1664, tabled 15 September 2004 by Lord Mann (Labour). Signed by 26 members.

That this House congratulates Community on its recent political fund ballot where members voted by a 75 per cent. majority to retain their political fund and their right to campaign collectively on political issues; notes that this will allow the union to carry on campaigning to get changes in policy on issues such as pensions, employment rights and equalities; 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 have the right to opt out of paying into a political fund should they so choose; is concerned that trade unions bear an excessive financial burden in order to fulfil their natural role of representing their members' interest; and believes that, in light of the Community members' recent overwhelming vote in favour of retaining the union's political fund, the Government should abolish the legislation that puts such excessive burdens on trade unions.

Signatures by party: Labour 25, Labour/Co-operative 1.