Seeking a new identity

A lot of rubbish has been written about the Falkirk fiasco this week. In short, it came to light that the Unite union were hand picking their own candidate to succeed the outgoing pugilist Eric Joyce. He vacates the seat not to retire or seek a new career per se, but because he was found guilty of assault while under the influence of our national drug. It is important to give an idea of the political landscape in Falkirk. In 2005, Labour garnered over 50% of the vote with a slender majority of 13,475. By 2010, they had let things slip having commanded a mere 45.7% of the vote with a reduced majority of  just 7,843. Let us be clear here. Barring an earthquake or a volcano, this is about as nailed on a Labour seat as you will find.

They would be safe if they selected Iggle Piggle as their candidate so in a way it is not entirely to surprising to learn that the Unite union was seeking to get its own preferred candidate selected to replace Mr. Joyce. Not surprising because the relationship between the Labour party and the unions has been inextricably linked for nearly a century now.

The man selected by the unions to lead the Labour Party now seeks to distance his party from them. Given that they hold so much power within the party selection process, this is either a very brave or a very stupid move. The Labour leader has suggested that the automatic Labour Party membership fee be scrapped for union members. These fees have been worth an estimated £8 million per annum to the Labour Party so they would stand to lose out on about 75% of that amount. This assumes that about 25% will actively choose to maintain their affiliation to the Labour Party.

What this move does do is bring to a close a sham which has pervaded British political life since 1997. The Labour Party is about as close in ideology to the Unions as David Cameron. You only have to reflect on the recent policy announcements by Labour as they seek to keep up with the Coalition to realise that the days of a close Union alliance are long gone. They are a million miles apart. In particular, the recent policy shift towards getting rid of winter fuel payments for the affluent represents a massive difference between them.

Like Blair before him, Milliband knows only too well that he must somehow seek to occupy the centre ground to have any chance of regaining power in 2015. Attempting to cut his ties with his union paymasters is a bold first step. That said, I don't think the unions will simply roll over like an obedient dog and meekly accept their treatment. They still wield considerable power within the Labour National Executive and will not be afraid to implement it. In some ways, this is the last battle in which the Labour Party must seek to throw off the shackles of its past. Neil Kinnock never achieved this and neither did any of his successors. If he does succeed in cutting his ties in a totally transparent manner, Milliband will score a major hit with the middle ground electorate who will ultimately decide the identity of our next government. I did note with amusement the refusal of Tony Blair to become involved...