Letter: Labour policies for the future
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Sir: Barrie Clement's article (5 January) forecasting uproar if the Labour Party holds back from one member, one vote is wholly accurate. Indeed, I for one will be one of the people creating that uproar.
During the last conference, I moved a motion calling for one member, one vote to be introduced immediately. I remitted it on the assurance that it would receive proper consideration in the overall policy review. To now back away from that decision is a cop-out.
The debates, the arguments and the shelving have now gone by. The argument has been made and, more importantly, has been accepted by the majority of Labour Party members. They have the right to choose their candidates and the only fair way is through the system of one member, one vote.
Those who argue that this will weaken the link between the Labour Party and the trade union movement are entirely wrong. The link will never, ever be broken. The commitment between the party and the trade union movement is far too deep, but the trade unions must allow the Labour Party the freedom to function as a political party capable of arriving at policy and deciding its candidates free from the diktat of trade union barons.
Yours sincerely,
PAUL GALLAGHER
General Secretary
AEEU-EETPU Section
Amalgamated Engineering
and Electrical Union
Bromley, Kent
5 January
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments