The Trade Unions bankroll the Labour Party. In a big way. (I have a small article on the topic published here ) Today finally tackled the burning issue this morning here. Comrade Billy Hayes was on and I thought it was very insipid interview. He was allowed to avoid dealing with the fact that the minority of UK employees who DO belong to a trade union (29%) overwhelmingly work in the Public Sector. And that’s the link that dare not speak its name. The Unions own Labour, and the Unions are the Public Sector. This could have been a robust and interesting exchange but I thought it was very disappointing. Then again, how many of those interviewing trade unionists on the BBC are themselves trade unionists?
PART OF THE UNION!
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You might want to correct your opening sentence, David.
Whoops! Sorted. I have sacked by copy editor.
That was a typically soft, indeed lifeless ‘Today’ interview by James Naughtie. He must have been enraged his editors thought it was even necessary.
The balance was provided by Peter Watt, former general secretary of the Labour Party (somewhat pissed-off faction) who helpfully pointed out that the trade unions also provided large top-up funding to the Labour Party over and above the political levy. Not a squeak of interest or recognition by Naughtie was registered to that fact nor were precise amounts or totals provided.
Meanwhile although twice asked twice politely by Naughtie, the trade union official, Billy Hayes, simply refused to answer the question as to why levy-payers should and could not in future be asked specifically to contract-in as opposed to contract-out. (Most unions have levy payment rates of 99% – i.e nobody dares contract-out if they even see the form!)
The standard wet lettuce mode of interviewing Labour party politicians was utilised and thus was balance provided by the BBC – without interruption or cross examination.
This was the usual Today treatment of Labour Party business discussed by three Labour supporters to which the radio audience was graciously granted the opportunity to listen.
The term ‘conflict of interest’ must’ve been invented for the stinking British(LOL!!)BrainwashingCorporation.
The BBC doesn`t believe in “contract in ” . Dues to the Unions , Labour party and BBC licence should not be voluntary .
Having read this I thought it was really informative.
I appreciate you spending some time and effort
to put this article together. I once again find myself personally spending a significant amount of time both reading and posting comments.
But so what, it was still worthwhile!