Opting-Out Made Easy

In a recent post I promised to provide contact details - for any readers wishing to opt out of paying a political levy to the Labour party.

Now the official way to do this is very cumbersome and involves tracking down some local union rep within your branch - whom no one knows - and who may not even understand what you're talking about.

So the best and quickest way to do this would be simply to send an e-mail to your union regional secretary - and politely ask that person to sort things out on your behalf.

Here are the people you may wish to contact:

GMB - Harry Donaldson: harry.donaldson@gmb.org.uk

Unite - Fiona Farmer: fiona.farmer@unitetheunion.org

Unison - Matt Smith: matt.smith@unison.co.uk

All you need to do is to say something along the lines of:

"Dear Regional Secretary

Labour Party Political Levy

I would like to stop paying a political levy to the Labour party with immediate effect - and would like to union to return this money to me in future.

My union membership number is - xxxxxxx

My address and post code is - xxxxxxxxx

My union branch is - xxxxxxxx

Please action this request on my behalf.

Yours sincerely


A Member"

And that's about all you need to say really - just remember to date the e-mail and include your union membership number etc.

For obvious reasons - keep a copy of what you send for future reference.

The unions should not be putting any obstacles in your way - if you wish to exercise your right to opt-out of paying the political levy - if they do, let me know.