Michael Gove has been doing an excellent job challenging the Labour Party over their dependence on the Unite union. But one point that deserves more attention is this Populus poll of Unite members taken a year ago.
Among the findings in the survey was that only 34% were Labour voters. There were 31% for the Conservatives and the Conservatives went into the lead among Unite members among those who said they were certain to vote and when there was a "forced choice" question between Labour and Conservatives. Yet 80% of Unite members are paying a Political Levy to the Labour Party. There must be over 100,000 Conservative supporters among Unite's membership in the position of having their money being used to fund the Labour Party.
But the really significant question in the survey was:"Would you support or oppose Unite the union making further large financial donations to the Labour Party in the future?"
Support 31%.
Oppose 54%.
Don''t know 15%.
Would a company make donations against the wishes of its shareholders? Would any other membership organisation be so cavalier towards the views of its members over making political donations?
The Thatcher Government transfered power from the trade union leaders to the trade union members. The Cameron Government needs to do the same.
