by René Lavanchy
The Labour-trade union funding link will be preserved in proposals the Government will put to Parliament, Tribune has learned.
Justice Secretary Jack Straw is considering a green paper on party funding, despite the failure to reach agreement with the Conservative Party, who want to tighten rules on revenue from union affiliations.
But members of Labour’s crime, justice, citizenship and equalities policy commission, who were told of the proposals on Monday this week, are worried that the approach is too slow and that the party faces “oblivion” in the face of Tory fundraising.
One member told Tribune: “A green paper is way too long term. We should act now and not let the issue come back at us over the next few months and years. I think it’d be disastrous if it were a good year before anything happens on this.”
Commission members briefed by Mr Straw’s advisers say they understand that Lord Ashcroft is pressurising Mr Cameron not to jeopardise his bankrolling of election campaigns.
A source said: “They say it’s because of our refusal to budge on the union issue but that’s a red herring. Ashcroft is pulling the strings. He’s [Cameron] powerless to move on this.”
Gordon Brown told Labour’s National Policy Forum last year that he was prepared to cap individual and corporate donations at £50,000, but union leaders demanded that their affiliations, which bring in about £6 million a year, should be protected.
This week, policy commission members were given “strong assurances” that the link would be protected, but no further detail.
The Ministry of Justice said there were no immediate plans to present a paper.’
