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13/09/2011
'I Value The Link' To Unions – Miliband
The labour leader Ed Miliband has told a major union conference he "value's the link" between them and his party.
During his keynote speech at the Trade Union Congress (TUC) conference on Monday, the Labour leader said he would resist any attempt to break the historical links between the two "movements", despite being criticised by TUC members over his comments on this year's public sector strikes.
In June, a wave of public sector unions went on strike over austerity cuts made by the Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition. However, Mr Miliband, who was championed by the union's during his campaign for the Labour leadership in 2010, upset the congress members saying during the strikes saying: "these strikes are wrong at a time when negotiations are going on".
It was his first address to the country's unions since his controversial remarks, during which he attempted to strengthen the links between himself and the union movement.
"The three million trade union levy payers – working men and women – are a huge asset to our party," Mr Miliband said. "They should never, ever, feel like passive or unwanted members of our movement. I want them to feel part of it. Proud of it."
Referring to the disagreement, Mr Miliband said: Of course, there are times when you and I will disagree. You will speak your mind and so will I, but our link is secure enough, mature enough, to deal with disagreement because the relationship between party and unions is not about romance or nostalgia, it is about respect and shared values.
It is a relationship in which we listen to each other when we disagree and we know that what unites us is greater than what divides us. I want us reaching out to the people who are not members of our party, not even members of the trade unions, to hear their voices too."
However, the Labour leader came under some heckling by the TUC membership, and was jeered as he praised the difference academies had made to education in his constituency.
(DW/CD)
During his keynote speech at the Trade Union Congress (TUC) conference on Monday, the Labour leader said he would resist any attempt to break the historical links between the two "movements", despite being criticised by TUC members over his comments on this year's public sector strikes.
In June, a wave of public sector unions went on strike over austerity cuts made by the Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition. However, Mr Miliband, who was championed by the union's during his campaign for the Labour leadership in 2010, upset the congress members saying during the strikes saying: "these strikes are wrong at a time when negotiations are going on".
It was his first address to the country's unions since his controversial remarks, during which he attempted to strengthen the links between himself and the union movement.
"The three million trade union levy payers – working men and women – are a huge asset to our party," Mr Miliband said. "They should never, ever, feel like passive or unwanted members of our movement. I want them to feel part of it. Proud of it."
Referring to the disagreement, Mr Miliband said: Of course, there are times when you and I will disagree. You will speak your mind and so will I, but our link is secure enough, mature enough, to deal with disagreement because the relationship between party and unions is not about romance or nostalgia, it is about respect and shared values.
It is a relationship in which we listen to each other when we disagree and we know that what unites us is greater than what divides us. I want us reaching out to the people who are not members of our party, not even members of the trade unions, to hear their voices too."
However, the Labour leader came under some heckling by the TUC membership, and was jeered as he praised the difference academies had made to education in his constituency.
(DW/CD)
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Ed Miliband has been challenged to condemn next week's strike by Co-Chairman of the Conservative Party Sayeeda Warsi. Speaking on Thursday, Ms Warsi said that new figures from the Electoral Commission showed Labour had received 86% of their funding from trade unions since Ed Miliband became Labour leader.
Miliband 'Too Weak' To Criticise Strikes
Ed Miliband has been challenged to condemn next week's strike by Co-Chairman of the Conservative Party Sayeeda Warsi. Speaking on Thursday, Ms Warsi said that new figures from the Electoral Commission showed Labour had received 86% of their funding from trade unions since Ed Miliband became Labour leader.
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Public Can't See Miliband As PM – Poll
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Public Can't See Miliband As PM – Poll
A major voters poll has found the public can't see Ed Miliband as the next Prime Minister, despite his party being the most popular. According to The Times annual pre-conference Populus poll, 63% of the public cannot see Miliband as Prime Minister despite the Labour holding the voter's lead at 38% of the polled vote.
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Teachers urged to adopt 'personalised' approach to revision
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Teachers urged to adopt 'personalised' approach to revision
Schools can get 'personalised' revision tips aimed at helping pupils to prepare for exams from new guidance written by education experts. School Standards Minister David Miliband said that while some young people might benefit from unsupervised revision, others do better in a more structured setting.
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Bank Holiday Airport Strikes Called Off
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Bank Holiday Airport Strikes Called Off
A series of strikes by baggage handlers at Stansted, Gatwick and Manchester airports have been called off . The planned cessation of ground staff operations was halted after talks between the GMB and Unite Unions and employers Swissport. Strikes at Gatwick and Stanstead, both operated by Ferrovial's BAA, were planned for August 25 and 29.
30 January 2014
Labour Party Executive To Consider Leadership System Change
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Labour Party Executive To Consider Leadership System Change
The Labour Party's national executive committee are expected to consider the proposed reforms to party's leadership elections this weekend. The party is understood to be considering adopting the one member, one vote system, which would see its 200,000 members have one vote each in elections to select a new leader.
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