Labour and the unions
GMB general secretary, Paul Kenny, is reported in today's press as calling for the Prime Minister (Gordon Brown) to face an internal Labour leadership election - in an effort to save his embattled premiership.
Now, as a paid-up, carrying-carrying, individual member of the Labour party - Paul Kenny's views are as valid as the next man or woman's.
But when it comes to party politics - what mandate does Paul Kenny have to represent the views of ordinary GMB members?
None.
Why? Because the result of the recent by-election in Glasgow East simply confirms that the majority of GMB members supported the SNP - not the Labour party.
The truth is that the political views of ordinary union members are just as mixed and varied as the rest of the population.
Union bosses acting as amateur politicians does nothing for ordinary members - in fact, quite the opposite - because it compromises the independence and integrity of both sides.
Relationships become politicised and far too cosy - skewed through the prism of party politics - so that when the chips are down the interests of ordinary members sometimes take a back seat.
And that's why - when push came to shove on equal pay - the trade unions were unable to do the right thing by their members.
Now, as a paid-up, carrying-carrying, individual member of the Labour party - Paul Kenny's views are as valid as the next man or woman's.
But when it comes to party politics - what mandate does Paul Kenny have to represent the views of ordinary GMB members?
None.
Why? Because the result of the recent by-election in Glasgow East simply confirms that the majority of GMB members supported the SNP - not the Labour party.
The truth is that the political views of ordinary union members are just as mixed and varied as the rest of the population.
Union bosses acting as amateur politicians does nothing for ordinary members - in fact, quite the opposite - because it compromises the independence and integrity of both sides.
Relationships become politicised and far too cosy - skewed through the prism of party politics - so that when the chips are down the interests of ordinary members sometimes take a back seat.
And that's why - when push came to shove on equal pay - the trade unions were unable to do the right thing by their members.
