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Review of political

fund effectivenessReport to Conference from the National Executive Council 2010


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R E V I E W O F P O L I T I C A L F U N D E F F E C T I V E N E S S

Contents

1 Background 42 The work of the review 5

3 Extending UNISONs influence in achanging political landscape 6

4 Campaigning at local, regionaland devolved levels 8

5 Political education 10

6 Political communication 117 Enabling informed choice 13

8 Increasing accountability andparticipation 14

9 Conclusions and actions 16

Recommendations to National DelegateConference 18

Appendix 1National Delegate Conference 2008Motion 63 19

Appendix 2Submissions received 20


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UN I SON N A T I O N A L E X E C U T I V E C O U N C I L R E P O R T

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1 Current economic events, political

developments, and constitutional changes,all with profound consequences forUNISON members and the services theydeliver, make it imperative that the unionmaximises its political influence over thecoming period. UNISON maintains apolitical fund made up of two sections,the General Political Fund and LabourLink to enable it to influence publicopinion, democratic processes andgovernmental decision-making. It is vitalthat this resource is used effectively to

protect UNISON members and promoteUNISONs agenda.

2 UNISONs national delegate conference2008 agreed Motion 63 which called onthe national executive council to carryout a full review of the political fund ar-rangements involving the Affiliated Politi-cal Fund, General Political Fund, servicegroups, self-organised groups, regions and

branches, to scrutinise and reform opera-tions and functional processes to ensurethe highest levels of transparency, partici-pation and activity.

3 The NEC appointed a steering group to

govern the review, comprising the presi-dential team; chairs and nominees of theGeneral Political Fund, Labour Link andPolicy Development and Campaign Com-mittees; and four regional convenors.

4 The steering group proposed a remit andtimetable for the review which was agreedby the NEC in November 2008. It wasagreed that an interim report would bepresented to conference in 2009 and a fi-

nal report in 2010.

5 The steering group completed its work inFebruary when the NEC adopted this re-port and the recommendations containedin it.

1 Background


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1 The review began by gathering

information to allow an assessment of theeffectiveness of existing arrangements including activity levels, communications,fund operational rules, participation andpolitical lobbying. It also reviewed funddevelopments, expenditure and fundmembership trends since the reviewof 2003. In addition the steering groupgathered information about how otherunions and campaigning organisations

work, both in the UK and abroad, to see what can be learned from comparisons

and examples of good practice.

2 The review monitored the progress ofthe political parties and elections billthat followed the Hayden Phillips reviewof party funding. It also considered theimplications of a possible change ofgovernment at the next general election.

3 In addition to conducting its owndeliberations the steering committeeconvened a two day seminar on improvingUNISONs political organisation andcampaigning which brought togethermembers of the national committees ofthe General Political Fund and LabourLink.

4 A questionnaire was issued to branchsecretaries aimed at gathering views and

experiences of lobbying and campaigningand the role of the political fund atbranch level. A similar questionnaire forindividual members was set up onlineand promoted through UNISONcommunications and at national delegateconference in 2009.

5 A short interim report on the reviews work, themes and issues emerging fromits deliberations, and proposed next steps

was presented to and agreed by nationaldelegate conference 2009 as an appendixto the UNISON Annual Report 2008/9.

6 In autumn 2009 an extensive consultation

was opened with the publication of adiscussion document inviting responsesfrom national, regional and branchbodies, including service groups andself-organised groups, and individualmembers.

7 Throughout the review process ,informat ion on i ts progress andopportunities to contribute views andexperiences were made available on a

dedicated section of the UNISONwebsite and promoted with articles andlinks in Focus. Steering group membersmade themselves available to givepresentations and briefings on the review,

which was taken up by a number ofnational and regional bodies.

2 The work of the review


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1 Submissions to the review identified thefollowing political and policymakingprocesses as most important in affectingUNISON and its members:

n the Westminster government especially senior ministers, civil servantsand special advisors

n the Westminster parliament

especially select committees

n the devolved administrations andparliament/assemblies in Scotland, Wales,Northern Ireland and London

n regional bodies in England suchas Regional Development Agencies,Regional Improvement and EfficiencyPartnerships, and Strategic Health

Authorities

n local councils especially executives,

cabinets, and scrutiny committees

n the European Union especially theCommission, Parliament and Court of

Justice

n quangos, regulators and fundingagencies such as HEFCE, CQC, and skillscouncils

n advisory bodies and thinktanks suchas the I&DeA

n political parties especially Labour,where UNISON has a direct input intopolicymaking, but also other parties atnational, regional and local levels

n campaigning organisations includingcharities, pressure groups, user andcommunity groups

2 There was overwhelming agreement thatthe union and its members faced significantchallenges as a result of changing

economic, political and institutionalcircumstances which made it imperativeto maximise its influence over political andpolicymaking processes over the comingperiod. These changes included:

n the pressure for public spending cutsresulting from the economic crisis;

n the ongoing drive for public servicereform in the shape of increasedoutsourcing, efficiencies, shared serviceinitiatives, and personalisation;

n the threat of a Conservat ivegovernment at Westminster which would

accentuate and accelerate these pressuresat the same time as challenging existingarrangements for union consultation,bargaining and representation;

n a more complex and plural partye n v i r o n m e n t , e s p e c i a l l y w h e r eproportional representation has beenintroduced;

n antipathy to Labour after more than adecade in government and frustration withLabour government policies that have had

a negative impact on UNISON members;

n the continued threat from the BNPand far right;

n the shift of power away from electedrepresentatives and towards arms lengthbodies, for example the development ofLocal Strategic Partnerships.

3 In response it was agreed that UNISONneeded to maximise its political influence

over the coming period in order to protectand advance the interests of its members.

4 The central priority highlighted bysubmissions, and agreed by the review,

was the need for political engagement,lobbying and campaigning to be seen asa mainstream activity of the whole union,a natural and necessary extension of our

work of representing and bargaining

for members, and integral to theresponsibilities of everyone in the unionat all levels rather than the exclusivepreserve of a few special sections,committees, or officers.

3 Extending UNISONs influence in a

changing political landscape


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5 A particular problem highlighted by thereview is that for many in the union the

word political is associated with partypolitics and, in a UNISON context, thelink with Labour. For the purposes of this

review, however, the Labour Link shouldbe seen as one aspect and tool within theunions overall lobbying and campaigningto influence political processes andpopular opinion in the interests of itsmembers.

6 The review considers that the role of bothpolitical fund sections is to support andfacilitate such activity by UNISON andits members, and it is essential that both

the GPF and Labour Link are accessibleand responsive to UNISON membersand bodies for this purpose. But thepolitical fund will not be used effectivelyif there is not broad engagement withlobbying and campaigning work acrossthe whole union. Fundamental to this willbe raising levels of political awareness,understanding and engagement amongordinary members and branch activists.

7 On the issue of UNISONs affiliationwith the Labour Party, most submissionsemphasised the importance of ensuringthis was used effectively to take forwardUNISONs policies and campaigns, atthe same time as developing dialogueand influence with other political parties

where appropriate. The experiences andachievements of UNISONs adaptionto the more plural party systems thathave arisen in the devolved nations are

particularly instructive in this regard.Only a minority of submissions calledfor abolition of the Labour Link and/ordirect affiliation to or support for politicalparties other than Labour.

8 O t he r p r io r i t i e s h igh l i gh t e d insubmissions which the review consideredto be especially valuable were:

n the ultimate importance of influencingpublic opinion and mobilising popular

pressure on politicians and decision-makers in support of the unionsobjectives at all levels of the union;

n the need for the union to build linksand alliances with user and communityorganisations, charities and pressuregroups;

n the need for the union to strengthenits lobbying of elected and non-electeddecision-makers at all levels, with

enhanced training and staff support.


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1 The review received a great many excellentexamples of imaginative, well-targetedand effective lobbying and campaigningby some branches, making use of boththe General Political Fund and LabourLink. However it also highlighted a verylow level of awareness, engagement andactivity across the majority of branches.For example, responses to the branch

questionnaire suggested that:

n7 out of 10 branches had never appliedfor money from the General Political Fund

n 6 out of 10 branches had nevercontacted their regional Labour Linkofficer for advice or support

n half of branches had no Labour Linkofficer or anyone responsible for politicalcampaigns and communications

n

1 in 3 branches had never engagedin campaign activities such as lobbyingelected representatives, contacting localmedia, or engaging members or the publicin a policy issue

n 1 in 5 branches had no contact atall with local elected representativesor media, and 2 in 5 had no contact

with local user groups, campaigns orcommunity organisations

2 A number of reasons for this weresuggested in submissions, including:

na perception of political lobbying andcampaigning as distinct and separate fromthe core industrial work of representingand bargaining for members

n a lack of resources, capacity and timeat branch level this was also the mostcommon reason given by respondents tothe branch questionnaire

n low levels of awareness andunderstanding of the support availablefrom the political fund, and confusionover what can or cant be done withincurrent rules and legal framework

n active opposition of some branchsecretaries and committees to making useof UNISONs affiliation to Labour whichinhibits the development of memberawareness and engagement

3 There is wide agreement that the unionneeds to raise the level of branchengagement in lobbying and campaigning,and the review has identified thefollowing as measures that could helpraise this as a priority:

nThe Branch Assessment frameworkhas been revised to highlight theimportance of political influenceand engagement and encourage itsintegration into the development

plans and work programmes of everybranch. This will be kept underreview, with a view to ensuring thatuse of the opportunities and supportoffered by both political fund sectionsis regularly considered as part of this.

n The NEC has agreed that theCode of Good Branch Practice

will be reviewed and revised toensure that maximizing politicalengagement and influence, includingfull consideration of the possibleadvantages to be gained from working

with both political fund sections, isseen as integral to the functions andresponsibilities of every branch.

4 At the same time the review recognisesthat branches need to be able to accesssupport for political lobbying andcampaigning, and that more needs tobe done to promote the importance ofpolitical engagement and raise the profileof the political fund sections at regional

level. The following have been proposedas means to address this:

n The findings of the review suggestthat an adequate minimum standardof regional staffing arrangementsfor supporting branch lobbying

4 Campaigning at local, regional and

devolved levels


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and campaigning, and leadingregional political organisation andcampaigning, should be identifiedand standardised.

n Regional Councils, Committees,

sub-committees, service groupsand self-organised groups shouldensure that political influence andengagement is addressed as a standarditem on all meeting agendas, anddeveloped as an integral componentof regional plans and strategies,including full consideration of the

possible advantages to be gainedfrom working with both politicalfund sections. Regions consideringbudget bids from their committeesshould ensure that full considerationis given to the possible advantagesto be gained from working with both

political fund sections when annualbudgets are set and in an ongoing waythroughout the financial year.

n The review recognises the specialcircumstances in Scotland, Wales andNorthern Ireland, where a higher levelof staffing support may be needed

to engage effectively with devolvedsystems of government and more plural party systems. The reviewalso notes that, notwithstanding the

particularity of these circumstances,there may be much that the widerunion can learn from the examples ofsuccessful lobbying and campaigning

we have seen in these new pluralpolitical environments.

5 It is widely agreed that such measureswill only be effective if they are advancedin the context of much improved levelsof awareness and understanding ofUNISONs political and policy objectives;methods of influencing political andpolicymaking processes; and the role of thepolitical fund sections in supporting this.

The following two chapters on UNISONspolitical education and communicationsare aimed at addressing this.


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5 Political education1 Political education was widely seen as

fundamental to the broad culture-shift that the review has identified as aprecondition of improving UNISONspolitical effectiveness, and its focus ofattention on this area in the discussiondocument was greeted with enthusiasmby most respondents.

2 Responding to issues raised by thereview, the UNISON Education Forumhas offered a helpful working definitionof political education as aiming to raiseawareness of the issues facing UNISON and therole of the union as a political organisation andto give members the tools and skills to challenge

processes and make informed decisions.

3 There is wide agreement that thisrequirement applies to everyone inUNISON including national andregional staff, branch officers and

stewards, and the membership at large.

4 At the same time the review recognisesthat political education is more easilycalled for than implemented effectively,and submissions highlighted a numberof issues that need to be given carefulconsideration, including:

n the need to start from where peopleare and connect to their immediate

experiences and concerns, not assumeprior knowledge or interest the very

word political will be off-putting tomany

nthe need for clear guidance and adviceon handling issues of controversy andensuring political education is notmisinterpreted as indoctrination

nthe need to ensure educational coursesare accessible to all, offering materialsupport where appropriate, and makingfull use of online and distance learningoptions

n while the idea of more advancedoptions on political issues, history andprocesses was greeted enthusiastically

by some, it will be important to avoid

catering exclusively to those alreadyinterested in politics and therebyreinforcing the perception of lobbyingand campaigning as a minority interest orspecialism.

5 Work is now underway withinLearning And Organising Services andthe Development and OrganisationCommittee aimed at building skillsand confidence and promoting

understanding of UNISONs politicalagenda. All UNISON educationmaterials and training modules willbe revised with a view to improvingawareness and understandi ngof political issues and processesand UNISON policy objectivesat all levels; developing skills andconfidence needed for lobbying andcampaigning; promoting politicalinfluence and engagement as a coreactivity and shared responsibility ofthe whole union; and maximisingthe transparency, accountability and

profile of both political fund sections.


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6 Political communication1 The unions printed and onl ine

communications with its members,activists and staff are clearly essentialto ensuring that the operations of theGPF and Labour Link are transparentand understood, and encouraging broaderengagement and participation in theunions lobbying and campaigning.

2 Key channels include:

nthe welcome book for new members

n the about us and political fundsections of the UNISON website

nthe Annual Report

n U magazine, sent quarterly to allmembers, currently accompanied by

Labour Link Magazine

n InFocus, sent monthly to all activists,currently accompanied by Labour Link

Newsand GPF Newsletter

n eFocus, emailed weekly to all activistsonline

n numerous printed and electronicnewsletters and bulletins operated byservice groups, self-organised groups, andothers at national, regional and branchlevel

3 A large amount of information on theoperation of both political fund sections,including how to make use of them, howdecisions are made, and uses to whichtheir resources are put, is currentlyavailable to members. But submissions tothe review made clear that some peoplehave difficulties finding it and that it isnot always presented in a way to facilitatebroad understanding of the role of eachsection.

4 Submissions also highlighted concernthat the GPF still had a low profile acrossthe union, and that the publication ofseparate Labour Link newsletters riskedreinforcing a misperception of LabourLink as a separate section of the union

with its own aims and objectives. There is

broad agreement that political issues and

processes, and the role of both politicalfund sections in supporting this need tobe highlighted and explained prominentlyin core UNISON publications andmaterials. There is broad agreement thatthe value to all members of engaging withpolitical issues and processes, and the roleof both fund sections in supporting this,needs to be highlighted and explainedprominently.

5 As with the discussion of politicaleducation it was widely emphasised that widespread knowledge of or interestin political issues and campaigning andlobbying activities cannot be assumed.Clarity, accessibility, and relevance arekey.

6 A particular issue that many submissionsdrew attention to was the urgent needto illustrate and demonstrate what canbe achieved through campaigning andlobbying in concrete terms, by reportingon or providing a platform for examplesof effective initiatives that have broughtabout tangible improvements for theunion and its members and show people

what can be done.

7 Submissions stressed the importance bothof making use of traditional methods of

communication, especially face-to-faceengagement (which can be encouragedand facilitated with simple and effectivebriefings and materials), as well as makingfull use of the new opportunities offeredby online and social media.

8 All national communication materialsand channels are now being revised

with a view to mainstreamingthe work of both political fund

sections and promoting lobbyingand campaigning as a core activityand shared responsibility of the

whole union. Printed and onlinecommunications should maximize


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the transparency, accountability, andprofile of both political fund sections;improve awareness and understandingof political issues and processes;

promote and develop UNISONs policy objectives; and disseminategood practice and examples ofsuccessful interventions.


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7 Enabling informed choice1 New procedures for enabling members

to make speedy and informed choices ontheir political fund options, and allocatelevy payments of those who express nopreference, were implemented followingthe 2003 Review. These allow for theallocation of members who have notresponded to repeated requests to eachfund on a 50:50 basis (while avoidingallocation of members to a fund whereless than 25% of their fellow branchmembers are in that fund).The current

review has ensured that these procedureswere fully and rigorously implemented.

n Agreed procedures for enablingmembers to make speedy andinformed choices on their politicalfund options have been reviewed andtightened.

2 A majority of submissions to the reviewendorsed these arrangements. It wasnoted that membership of UNISONs

political fund was high compared toother unions, and that the transparencyand choice offered was often held up asa standard for other unions to follow.However it is clear that they are still not

widely understood at branch level, whichraises questions as to how well they willbe explained to new members.

n Short and simple guidance onpolitical fund choices, subscriptions,opt-out rights and default allocation

pro cedures , as we l l as br i e f explanations of what the political fundsections do and how to get involved,

will be issued to all branches,stewards, and new members.

3 After discussion and consultation it wasagreed with the GPF National Committeeand Northern Ireland regional councilthat members in Northern Ireland shouldbe allowed and encouraged to pay intothe General Political Fund.

n The obstacle to Northern Irelandmembers paying into the GeneralPolitical Fund has been lifted and acampaign to encourage sign-up hasbeen launched.


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1 It is essential that both sections of thepolitical fund are seen as accessible andresponsive to members throughout theunion. The review has highlighted the im-portance of ensuring that both sectionsof the political fund are effective in pro-tecting members interests and promotingUNISON policy.

2 The Policy Development and Cam-paigns Committee is working with theGPF, Labour Link, Development andOrganising Committee and Servicesto Members Committee to ensure thatUNISON campaigns are strategically

prioritised and member engagementand involvement maximised.

3 Submissions to the review suggested thatawareness of how GPF decisions are ac-countable to UNISON members was notconsistently high, and that participation inLabour Link structures was uneven, in partreflecting a low level of participation in theLabour Party and political activity generally.

4 Measures already outlined aimed at raisingunderstanding of and engagement with theunions campaigning and lobbying activityshould help to address this. In addition the

review highlights the importance of takingall measures possible that could enablemore members to access the resourcesand opportunities afforded by both politi-cal fund sections, and participate directlyin their operation and governance.

5 Submissions to the review suggested thatthe GPF consider facilitating broader par-ticipation in campaign activities by makingfunds more readily available to branches

through fast-track draw-down options;preparing easily adaptable model bids andcampaign activity toolkits; and increasingthe size of grant for which approval is de-

volved to regions from 5,000 to 10,000.

Submissions also highlighted the need forclear lay member involvement and ac-countability in arrangements for regionalconsideration of branch bids.

6 The General Political Fund has beguna programme of work to ensure thatapplication, decision-making and allo-cation processes allow resources to be

accessed as speedily as possible, andthat Branches and Regions are fullyaware of the rules and role of the Fund.Campaign toolkits and model bids arebeing developed to make it easier forbranches to access GPF resources todevelop local campaign activities.

7 Submissions to the review suggested thatLabour Link should seek to involve moremembers in its work; facilitate greaterinvolvement of UNISON members inLabour Party policymaking and electoralcampaigning; and make it easier for UNI-SON members to contact, meet and lob-by Labour politicians. Some submissionssuggested that Constituency Develop-ment Plans be wholly or partially replacedby proactive, issue-led local and regionalcampaigning with Labour with clear rel-evance to UNISON members.

8 Labour Link is exploring ways of en-couraging and supporting a higher

proportion of UNISON members whoare APF levy-payers to become LabourParty members, participate in LabourParty campaigning and policymaking,and stand as Labour Party candidatesin order that the concerns of UNI-SON members are better representedthroughout the party.

9 Labour Link has suspended Constituen-cy Development Payments, and regionsare now using these funds for local andregional campaigning around issues ofconcern to UNISON members.

8 Increasing accountability and

participation


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10 The review has considered and con-sulted on the set up of the GPF andLabour Link national committees andconcluded that current arrangementsshould be retained. The GPF national

committee responds directly to re-gional and branch bids and the priorityshould be raising the level of campaignactivity at regional and branch level.The National Labour Link Committeealready includes an elected representa-tive from each region in addition to theelected NEC members, and proposalsto expand this met with very little sup-

port in discussions and in the consul-tation.

11 The GPF and Labour Link continue toreview liaison and representation ar-rangements for Self-Organised Groupsat national, regional and branch level

with a view to ensuring that the unionslobbying and campaigning activities

properly reflect their experiences andconcerns.


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1 Both sections of the political fund arethere to work for the union as a whole,and so improving their effectiveness mustbe seen as the work of the whole union.

This is not an end in itself but will be es-sential to strengthening the union and itsability to deliver for its members in thechallenging environment we now face. Inthe period ahead, our political fund mustbe a fighting fund, protecting and promot-ing UNISON, its members, and the serv-ices they provide.

2 This review has identified a number of ac-tions that it believes can advance this aimby improving the transparency, accessibil-ity and responsiveness of both sections ofthe fund to members, as well as encour-aging and enabling members to make useof the resources and opportunities the po-litical fund offers for lobbying and cam-paigning.

3 In summary, these are:a) The Branch Assessment framework

has been revised to highlight theimportance of political influenceand engagement and encourage itsintegration into the development

plans and work programmes of everybranch. This will be kept underreview, with a view to ensuring thatuse of the opportunities and support

offered by both political fund sectionsis regularly considered as part of this(Chapter 4).

b) The NEC has agreed that the Code ofGood Branch Practice will be reviewedand revised to ensure that maximizing

political engagement and influence,including full consideration of the

possible advantages to be gainedfrom working with both political fundsections, is seen as integral to the

functions and responsibilities of everybranch (Chapter 4)

c) The findings of the review suggestthat an adequate minimum standardof regional staffing arrangements

for supporting branch lobbying

and campaigning, and leadingregional political organisation andcampaigning, should be identifiedand standardised (Chapter 4)

d) Regional Councils, Committees, sub-committees, service groups and self-organised groups should ensure that

political influence and engagementis addressed as a standard item onall meeting agendas, and developedas an integral component of regional

plans and strategies, includingfull consideration of the possibleadvantages to be gained from working

with both political fund sections.Regions considering budget bidsfrom their committees should ensurethat full consideration is given to the

possible advantages to be gainedfrom working with both political fundsections when annual budgets are setand in an ongoing way throughout thefinancial year (Chapter 4).

e) The review recognises the specialcircumstances in Scotland, Wales andNorthern Ireland, where a higher levelof staffing support may be neededto engage effectively with devolvedsystems of government and more

plural party systems. The reviewalso notes that, notwithstanding the

particularity of these circumstances,there may be much that the widerunion can learn from the examples ofsuccessful lobbying and campaigning

we have seen in these new pluralpolitical environments.

f) Work is now underway withinLearning And Organising Services andthe Development and OrganisationCommittee aimed at building skillsand confidence and promotingunderstanding of UNISONs politicalagenda. All UNISON educationmaterials and training modules willbe revised with a view to improvingawareness and understandi ngof political issues and processesand UNISON policy objectivesat all levels; developing skills and

9 Conclusions and actions


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confidence needed for lobbying andcampaigning; promoting politicalinfluence and engagement as a coreactivity and shared responsibility ofthe whole union; and maximisingthe transparency, accountability and

profile of both political fund sections(Chapter 5).

g) All national communication materialsand channels are now being revised

with a view to mainstreamingthe work of both political fundsections and promoting lobbyingand campaigning as a core activityand shared responsibility of the

whole union. Printed and onlinecommunications should maximizethe transparency, accountability, and

profile of both political fund sections;improve awareness and understandingof political issues and processes;

promote and develop UNISONs policy objectives; and disseminategood practice and examples ofsuccessful interventions (Chapter 6).

h) Agreed procedures for enablingmembers to make speedy andinformed choices on their politicalfund options have been reviewed andtightened (Chapter 7).

i) Short and simple guidance onpolitical fund choices, subscriptions,opt-out rights and default allocation

pro cedures , as we l l as br i e f explanations of what the political fundsections do and how to get involved,

will be issued to all branches, stewards,and new members (Chapter 7).

j) The obstacle to Northern Irelandmembers paying into the GeneralPolitical Fund has been lifted and acampaign to encourage sign-up hasbeen launched (Chapter 7).

k) The Pol icy Development andCampaigns Committee is working

wi th the GPF, L abo ur L i nk,Deve lo pment and Organi s i ngCommittee and Services to MembersCommittee to ensure that UNISON

campaigns are strategically prioritisedand member engagement andinvolvement maximised (Chapter 8).

l) The General Political Fund has beguna programme of work to ensure thatapplication, decision-making andallocation processes allow resourcesto be accessed as speedily as possible,and that Branches and Regions arefully aware of the rules and role of theFund. Campaign toolkits and modelbids are being developed to make iteasier for branches to access GPFresources to develop local campaignactivities (Chapter 8).

m) Labour Link has suspendedConstituency Development Payments,and regions are now using these fundsfor local and regional campaigningaround issues of concern to UNISONmembers (Chapter 8).

n) Labour Link is exploring ways ofencouraging and supporting a higher

proportion of UNISON members who are APF levy-payers to becomeLabour Party members, participatein Labour Party campaigning and

policymaking, and stand as LabourParty candidates in order that theconcerns of UNISON members arebetter represented throughout the

party (Chapter 8).

o) The review has considered andconsulted on the set up of the GPF andLabour Link national committees andconcluded that current arrangementsshould be retained. The GPF nationalcommittee responds directly toregional and branch bids and the

priority should be raising the levelof campaign activity at regional andbranch level. The National LabourLink Committee already includesan elected representative from eachregion in addition to the elected NECmembers, and proposals to expandthis met with very little support indiscussions and in the consultation(Chapter 8).

p) The GPF and Labour Link continue toreview liaison and, in Labour Linkscase, representation arrangements,for Self-Organised Groups at national,regional and branch level with a viewto ensuring that the unions lobbyingand campaigning activities properlyreflect their experiences and concerns(Chapter 8).


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1 The report of the Review of Political FundEffectiveness, which was established tocarry out a full review of the political fundarrangements to scrutinise and reformoperations and functional processes to en-sure the highest levels of transparency, par-ticipation and activity, should be noted.

2 The finding of the Review that levels oftransparency, participation and activity arehigh compared to other unions, and thatboth sections of the political fund havefacilitated successful lobbying and cam-paigning that has brought tangible benefitsto UNISON members, should be noted.

3 The finding of the Review that levels oftransparency, participation, activity andeffectiveness could be further improved,

should also be noted.

4 The NEC has a role to play in improvingunderstanding of both the roles and the

working of both political fund sections,and encouraging UNISON members,branches, Service Groups, Self-organisedGroups, Sectors and Regions to liaise withthe political fund sections where this mightassist them in advancing UNISON policyobjectives. The rules and internal work-

ing of the General Political Fund and La-bour Link are a matter for their NationalCommittees. The work undertaken by theNEC, General Political Fund and LabourLink to improve levels of transparency,participation, activity and effectiveness,as identified in the Report of the Reviewof Political Fund Effectiveness, should beendorsed.

5 All levels of the union should be calledon to step up engagement with decision-making and policymaking processes thatimpact on our members, and to promotemember participation in the unions lobby-ing and campaigning.

Recommendations to National

Delegate Conference


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National Delegate Conference

2008 Motion 63

New Labour: What do we get for our money

Conference recognises that UNISON membersare increasingly angry at the continued onslaughton public services, workers jobs, wages and con-ditions by the New Labour government and itspolicies.

It is clear the government has no intention of let-ting up, and is pursuing further privatisation ofservices, and is intent on imposing a pay freezeon millions.

Conference also notes that in 2005 Conferenceagreed to call on UNISON Labour Link to pub-lish the voting record of the UNISON group ofMPs.

Conference notes the publication of the HaydenPhillips report on the Funding of Political Parties,recognising:

a) it represents a serious challenge to the unionslobbying and campaigning on behalf of ourmembers;

b) it poses a challenge to our current political ar-rangements;

c) it has the potential to enable political parties toskew the political process in their favour.

Conference recognises that the union has adopteda devolution protocol, and that this should be rec-ognised in political fund arrangements.

Conference welcomes the turnout in the lastAPF (Labour Link) National committee electionswhich was relatively high in comparison with re-cent National Executive and Service Group Elec-tions, conference recognises the importance theuse of all APF payer ballots on a regional basis forelecting the APF committee.

Acknowledging these developments, Conferencetherefore instructs the National Executive to:

1) carry out a full review of the political fund ar-

rangements involving the affiliated politicalfund, general political fund, services groups,self organised groups, regions and branches,to scrutinise and reform operations and func-tional processes to ensure the highest levels of

transparency, participation and activity and to

report to Conference on this;2) include in the review, regional APF (Labour

Link) structures and operation;

3) also include in the review the set up of the twonational political committees and consider ex-panding the directly elected seats and reduc-ing the indirectly elected seats to the National

APF (Labour Link) committee;

4) continue to campaign to ensure that the voicesand opinions of trade unionists are allowed tocontinue to make a valid and necessary contri-bution to political debate.

Carried as Amended by 63.1, 63.2, 63.3

Appendix 1


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Submissions received

Submissions in response to the consultation paperfrom the following bodies have been taken intoaccount in the steering groups deliberations:

Policy Development and Campaigns Committee

National Labour Link National Committee

General Political Fund Committee

National Womens Committee

National Black Members Committee

National LGBTNational Disabled Members Committee

Community Service Group

Ambulance Committee, Health Service Group

Professional and Technical B Sector Committee,Health Service Group

East Midlands Region

East Midlands Black Members Committee

East Midlands Retired Members Committee

Eastern Region

Eastern Region Labour Link Committee

Greater London Region

Greater London Region Labour Link

Greater London Region LGBT Committee

Northern Region

Northern Womens Network

UNISON Scotland

UNISON Scotland Labour Link Committee

South East Region

UNISON Wales/Cymru

UNISON Wales/Cyrmru Labour LinkCommittee

West Midlands Region

West Midlands Labour Link Committee

Yorkshire & Humberside Region

Yorkshire & Humberside Regional Labour LinkCommittee

Barnsley Local Government Branch

Bassetlaw Local Government Branch

Bury St Edmunds & District Health Branch

Cambridge City Council Branch

Cambridgeshire County Local GovernmentBranch

Cambridgeshire Police Branch

Cheshire Police Branch

City of Edinburgh Local Government Branch

Darlington Local Government Branch

Derbyshire County Local Government Branch

Ealing Local Government BranchEast Somerset + Taunton & Somerset HealthBranches (joint submission)

Environment Agency Head Office Branch

Environment Agency North West Branch

Essex Police Branch

Exeter City Local Government Branch

Glasgow City Branch

Glasgow City Branch Labour Link

Islington Local Government Branch

Kensington and Chelsea Local GovernmentBranch

Knowsley Local Government Branch

Lambeth Local Government Branch

London Fire and Emergency Planning AuthorityBranch

London Housing Associations Branch

Manchester Community and Mental HealthBranch

Manchester Local Government Branch

Newcastle City Branch

NHSSC Alfreton Branch

Norfolk County Branch

Northampton Borough Council WomensS.O.G.

Rochdale Local Government Branch

Runnymede Local Government Branch

Southampton District Local Government Branch

Southend-on-Sea Borough Council LocalGovernment Branch

Appendix 2


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Southwark Local Government Branch

South Tyneside Local Government Branch

Sussex Community and Mental Health Branch

University Hospital Birmingham Branch

University of Bristol Branch

Walsall Teaching PCT Branch

Wakefield Local Government Branch

In addition the steering committee consideredsubmissions from 18 individual members.

86 branches completed a questionnaire on politicallobbying and campaigning which also informedthe steering committees deliberations.


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