Hustings

14.09.10 - Helen Symons

It was standing room only at the Unions Together Labour leadership hustings at TUC Congress last night with over three hundred delegates attending - and over two hundred of you submitted questions to us online. Guardian journalist Allegra Stratton put them to the candidates - and was licensed to challenge anyone who didn't give you a straight answer.

Unsurprisingly, the economy provided an early focus for questions, with trade unionists on the frontline against what Tony Woodley described as "the most ruthless cuts of a lifetime" - and looking for a Labour leader who can win the argument against them. All of the contenders made clear that they intended to do just that. Comparisons to Greece were scorned, and instead parallels drawn with 1945 when Labour built the NHS despite wartime debts. There was a consensus that Labour had to fight the cuts not just as unfair but dangerous and damaging to the economy, while the candidates outlined their alternative economic plans. All of the candidates went on to talk about how they would work with affiliated trade unionists to fight the cuts, and thanked them for their efforts.

Another hot topic was the funding of political parties, with the coalition threatening the historic Labour link. Lisa Johnson had submitted a question by email asking about the threat carried from continuing the Hayden Phillips review of funding, and the candidates answered by committing themselves to the link. Some made the point that while Labour is funded by hundreds of thousands or ordinary trade unionists, the Tories are bank-rolled by a tax-dodging billionaire in Belize.

Owen Jones also had an email question read out on trade union rights. There was a general agreement that the status quo wasn't working and the candidates had various proposals for change, such as ballot reform and online voting.

GMB General Secretary Paul Kenny summed up by emphasising the work that the party and unions can do together, and concluded that now is the time to look forward for Labour. And as affiliated trade unionists, we all have a role in doing that - make sure you vote to have your say on what that future is.

If you were at the hustings, we'd also like to know what you think - please join the debate and leave a comment below.

There was also a lot of media coverage for the event, including the BBC, Guardian and Times.

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