CWU trade union asked to fund Green candidate

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-31491221

The Labour-supporting CWU union has been asked to fund a Green Party candidate standing against a shadow minister.

Any support for a politician opposing Labour would threaten the union's historical link to the party.

Documents seen by the BBC show a long standing CWU officer is calling on his union to provide the money from its political fund.

He intends to push his demand to a vote at a meeting next month.

In the application Jan Zablocki says he wants to offer members a political choice "free from the straitjacket of any single political party".

He said: "If as a consequence of that the Labour party says 'we no longer want you', so be it."

Zablocki is the Green Party's prospective candidate for the Stoke Central seat where the shadow education secretary Tristram Hunt is the MP.

'Not socialist enough'
A CWU branch meeting in February had already considered the request, Zablocki said.

A spokesman for the CWU - which represents postal and telecom workers - said: "When you affiliate to Labour you forgo affiliating to everyone else.

"One branch can't change that decision. It would have to go to national conference of the union."

Affiliation means the CWU provides Labour with fees, and gets a say in party decision making.

A number of trade union activists are seeking election for the Greens.

Former Labour member Charlie Kiss, a shop steward with Unison - also affiliated to Labour - is standing as the Green Party's candidate in Islington South.

The President of rail union the RMT, Peter Pinkney, is the Green Party candidate in Redcar.

A former Communist, he said: "I thought the Green Party were left wing or socialist enough to interest me."

The Green Party said the RMT had given over £7,000 to the their single MP Caroline Lucas.

The RMT split from Labour in 2004 after it insisted on continuing to support the Scottish Socialist Party.

[Lounge Lizard]

When I were a lad who would've believed that someone called 'Tristram' could become a Labour MP ?

[TrueBlueTerrier]

When I were a lad who would've believed that someone called 'Tristram' could become a Labour MP ?

Yes no doubt his dad is mortified Perhaps George did have some influence.

[dvbuk55]

When I were a lad who would've believed that someone called 'Tristram' could become a Labour MP ?

He's a very nice boy LL

[Tman]

When I were a lad who would've believed that someone called 'Tristram' could become a Labour MP ?

And when I were a lad who would've believed that any union would be dumb enough to cosy up to a party that would (if in power) make petrol etc costlier for the working Joe (in the vain and hopeless intent of making us all travel by train or bus, which is impossible for most, give start and finish times+ the cost involved), and pursue policies that limit jobs or even move jobs abroad?
Now who says the unions no longer have their fingers on the pulse?
The Green Party....the middle class "haven't got a clue" children of Wolfie Smith, and with about as much sense.

[dvbuk55]

When I were a lad who would've believed that someone called 'Tristram' could become a Labour MP ?

And when I were a lad who would've believed that any union would be dumb enough to cosy up to a party that would (if in power) make petrol etc costlier for the working Joe (in the vain and hopeless intent of making us all travel by train or bus, which is impossible for most, give start and finish times+ the cost involved), and pursue policies that limit jobs or even move jobs abroad?
Now who says the unions no longer have their fingers on the pulse?
The Green Party....the middle class "haven't got a clue" children of Wolfie Smith, and with about as much sense.

Power to the people!!! Although which people we're talking about now is open to debate

[wabbithunta]

They may as well ask them to donate to the Tories while they're at it.
Why vote against the very party they're meant to be supporting?
I know they're changing the way Unions are going to be able to give support, but isn't it down to us at "grass roots level" to be one the ones to say yes or no through a ballot prior to those at the top supporting the party in question? I can see a lot of people getting somewhat riled up over this.

[Lounge Lizard]

When I were a lad who would've believed that someone called 'Tristram' could become a Labour MP ?

He's a very nice boy LL

Tristan Hunt is the son of Julian Hunt, Baron Hunt of Chesterton, a meteorologist and leader of the Labour Group on Cambridge City Council in 1972-73, who was created a Labour Life Peer on the recommendation of Tony Blair in 2000.[3] He was educated at University College School, an independent school in London, where he achieved two As (History and Latin) and a B (English Literature) at A-Level. He read History at Trinity College, Cambridge as well as at the University of Chicago.
Hunt was selected to contest the constituency of Stoke-on-Trent Central on 1 April 2010, succeeding Labour's Old Etonian outgoing MP, Mark Fisher. Because the candidacy was filled just before the election, the shortlist was drawn up by Labour's ruling National Executive Committee selection panel, with none on the shortlist local to Stoke-on-Trent. This led to the secretary of the Constituency Labour Party, Gary Elsby, standing against Hunt as an independent candidate in protest. Despite the controversy of being "parachuted in" to the district Hunt was elected with 38.8% of the vote.

[dvbuk55]

When I were a lad who would've believed that someone called 'Tristram' could become a Labour MP ?

He's a very nice boy LL

Tristan Hunt is the son of Julian Hunt, Baron Hunt of Chesterton, a meteorologist and leader of the Labour Group on Cambridge City Council in 1972-73, who was created a Labour Life Peer on the recommendation of Tony Blair in 2000.[3] He was educated at University College School, an independent school in London, where he achieved two As (History and Latin) and a B (English Literature) at A-Level. He read History at Trinity College, Cambridge as well as at the University of Chicago.
Hunt was selected to contest the constituency of Stoke-on-Trent Central on 1 April 2010, succeeding Labour's Old Etonian outgoing MP, Mark Fisher. Because the candidacy was filled just before the election, the shortlist was drawn up by Labour's ruling National Executive Committee selection panel, with none on the shortlist local to Stoke-on-Trent. This led to the secretary of the Constituency Labour Party, Gary Elsby, standing against Hunt as an independent candidate in protest. Despite the controversy of being "parachuted in" to the district Hunt was elected with 38.8% of the vote.

Told you he was a nice boy

[redneck]

It's debatable whether Labour represent the working class these days, the current party is as much a part of the establishment as the Tories. That's why the Greens are a reputable alternative for anyone who still believes in socialism and a re-balancing of wealth and work.

[PHARRY]

CWU should fund the conservative party instead of tree huggers and communists

[baldrick]

CWU members already indirectly fund the Tories as many of the companies we buy from make donations to them.
But we aren't given a say in that.

[Nelly Pope]

Can I say that this particular Green Party Candidate is using this as a cheap bit of publicity to further his political aspirations. He has totally mis understood the meaning of affiliation. The CWU is affiliated with the Labour Party ONLY and cannot under it's current mandate change that, especially not at branch level. It would need a National level debate. This man is a self serving and disruptive person whose loyalty to his union has been swept aside by his political ambition. No integrity what so ever!

[Tman]

What would you expect from some silly green Party candidate? Sense and integrity? You'll be waiting a long time.