by René Lavanchy
THE Labour Party walked away from its National Policy Forum this week with party and trade union leaders hailing a “comprehensive” policy platform for the next general election, despite several unresolved issues and the prospect of more discussions next week.
The three-day discussion at Warwick University, which concluded some time after four o’clock on Sunday morning, was dominated by consensus agreements between ministers, unions and the NPF.
Simon Burgess, vice-chair of the policy forum, said: “This has been a comprehensive policy process unique in British politics. We have spent three years in close conversation with the British people, the trade unions, business and voluntary organisations.”
Tony Dubbins, chair of the Trade Union and Labour Party Liaison Organisation, added: “We have worked together co-operatively and effectively in the finest traditions of the labour movement”.
Several constituency Labour Party members told Tribune that they were pleased with their role in the process – including securing the lowering of the voting age to 16. NPF and National Executive Committee member Ellie Reeves said: “Warwick four years ago was very much the government and the unions. With things like votes at 16, I think it shows constituencies holding their own.”
However, disagreement remains among unions as to how good a deal has been agreed. A senior union source sought to downplay media comment about the success of their policies: “What we’ve got here is the basis for a manifesto. The reality of life is we’re 18 months, two years away from an election. This isn’t the final word. I don’t think anybody’s claiming this is a victory.”
Key areas agreed at the NPF include the introduction of the adult-level minimum wage at 21, not 22; the opening up of apprenticeship schemes to older workers; and the extension of flexible working rights to parents of children up to 16.
And in response to the GMB union’s long-running campaign to protect Remploy factories, ministers promised that the Government would ensure “adequate investment” and give the firm the opportunity to compete for public sector work.
However, unions failed to secure the introduction of higher rates of National Insurance, the legalisation of limited secondary picketing, a windfall tax on the record profits of fuel companies, simplification of the balloting process for industrial action or free school meals.
They are also likely to be unhappy at the NPF’s endorsement of using the voluntary and private sector to deliver public services, including welfare – as outlined in Work and Pensions Secretary James Purnell’s green paper recently – and the National Health Service.
Several important policy amendments remained unresolved as Tribune went to press. A consensus agreement on the future of Royal Mail was the subject of discussion by TULO and the Communication Workers’ Union. The draft version says: “We have set out a vision of a wholly publicly owned, integrated Royal Mail group in good health”, but neither Labour Party nor CWU officials wished to confirm this.
Separately, the forum committed to using positive action to increase the number of ethnic minority MPs and MEPs. An amendment proposed by Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Labour chair Ahmad Shahzad says that Labour will use the Equality Bill to address the issue of under-representation.
