Member News
One of the country's largest trade unions will call on the Labour party to focus on investment in public services and not privatisation at next week's conference.
Unison, which, represents more than 1.4m public sector workers, has submitted a contemporary motion calling on the party to conduct a review into the impact of privatisation on our public services.
The unions said it intends to send "a clear message to move away from privatisation".
Instead Labour should opt for investment in public services funded through "progressive taxation, by tackling tax avoidance and through a Robin Hood tax".
If a contemporary motion gets a two-thirds majority, it becomes party policy, rather than being referred to a policy commission.
The Unison motion reads:
"While the ConDem coalition claim that their deficit reduction proposals are fair and 'progressive', analysis by the IFS (25 August) and the Fabians ( 12 September) shows that public spending cuts will hit the poorest groups and communities hardest.
"The deficit resulting from the financial crisis is being used by the coalition for an ideological attack on public provision and welfare benefits.
"Labour's public investment was critical to supporting our economy and protecting people from the recession.
"Cuts stemming from the emergency Budget will result in the loss of over one million jobs and could depress economic growth for years.
"Cuts will devastate badly needed public services with a decline in living standards, particularly for women and poorer households.
"Meanwhile those responsible for the financial crisis continue to receive huge bonuses in an unregulated banking sector. The real roots of the crisis remain unaddressed which could result in history repeating itself.
"Conference rejects the ConDem education, health and welfare proposals that will skew public services away from universal provision toward segregated and increasingly privatised provision.
"Conference calls for a review into the effect of privatisation on our public services and for the party and future Labour government to develop policies and campaigns that reject the obscene policies of the coalition but instead supports recovery through investment in public services to protect the most vulnerable, funded through progressive taxation, including measures to tackle tax avoidance and a 'Robin Hood Tax' on financial transactions to fund public services in the UK and globally."
The conference begins in Manchester on Sunday.
On Saturday Labour will announce the winner of the leadership contest -
Unison backed Ed Miliband, who is one the front runners along with his brother David.
Have your say...
Please enter your comments below.