Union may rethink links to Labour

ONE of the biggest union affiliates to Labour is set to debate its future links after an “unprecedented” number of branches raised concerns about the political party’s policies.

The GMB said yesterday a quarter of motions to its annual conference in June related to the union’s political stance in the wake of anger over statements by Labour leader Ed Miliband and shadow chancellor Ed Balls in support of some of the government’s austerity measures.

The two had made speeches and given interviews backing the cap on public sector pay in mid-January, two weeks before the closing date for motions to be submitted by GMB branches

A union source said the number of motions on links with Labour was “unprecedented” and ranged from stepping up efforts to “reclaim” Labour, to “walking away” from it.

The GMB, the third largest donor, gives Labour more than £2 million a year in affiliation fees and other funds.