Yesterday, I got my union branch to agree what I think is a positive step forward in the fight for working-class political representation.
Since my union, RMT, parted company with the Labour Party more than two years ago, it has still not quite found its feet in pursuing political representation. It has a very effective Parliamentary group, led by John McDonnell (he should be Labour Party leader, you know). Unlike most other unions' groups, RMT's consists of MPs who actually agree with its policies, so it punches way above its weight. The union also held a conference on working-class political representation in January 2006 and is due to recall it later this year. And it is affiliated to the Labour Representation Committee (more unions should do that, you know).
But nonetheless, the union seems lacking in positive strategies to take us forward. It feels like we left the Labour Party facing backwards. So here's my proposal ...
This branch asks the Council of Executives to establish a panel of prospective candidates in public elections. Members of the panel would be:
- active RMT members
- socialists, pledged to fighting for the union's key policies
- nominated for the panel by their branch
- provided with political education and training by the union.
RMT would seek to have members of the panel selected as Labour or Scottish Socialist Party candidates.
In England and Wales, where this was not possible, the Council of Executives will consider standing the candidate through the procedure in the union's rules. The Council of Executives will consult relevant local branches and regions in reaching such decisions, and will stand its candidates in alliance with other trade unionists and socialists where appropriate.
A few words of background and explanation for those not in the know about RMT's structures ...
The Council of Executives is the national executive committee.
RMT was kicked out of the Labour Party in February 2004. At the previous year's AGM, the union had changed its rules to remain affiliated to Labour but allow itself to support other candidates where the Executive considered them to be better representatives of the union and its members' interests. A branch has to ask the Council of Executives for authoiratisation to back any non-Labour candidate. Under the new rules, the RMT affiliated to the Scottish Socialist Party, and Labour expelled the RMT.
Since then, RMT has supported John Marek and Peter Law in Wales, and my good self in the Hackney Council election in May this year. It has refused other requests for support, notably from Respect.
