Other People's Money
A number of readers (union members) have been in touch to ask how they can stop paying a political levy to the Labour party.
Well here's a previous post to the blog site which explains some of the background - more information will follow shortly.
Paying a Political Levy (11 October 2010)
A number of readers have asked for advice recently on how they can stop paying a political levy - as part of their regular union contributions.
Many union members don't even realise they pay a regular levy - which is then passed on to the Labour party - to the tune of millions of pounds a year.
For union members who don't actively support the Labour party - handing money over on a regular basis is plainly a bit bonkers.
And opting out of the political levy system - would save union members around 10% a year on their union contributions.
So how do you opt out?
Well the best thing to do would be to write to the regional secretary of your own trade union - stating that you no longer wish to pay into party political fund - that supports only the Labour party.
You can then do what you want with the money that you save - you could spend this on yourself - or make a donation to some cause or issue that your do actively support.
I will post contact details for the regional secretaries of the trade unions that affiliate to the Labour party - over the next few days.