Section1: Trade Unions & the Link

Can you tell us a little bit about your history in the Labour movement?

I have been a member of a trade union all my adult life. When I was 18 I went to Australia and worked in the building industry. To get the job I had to join a union – I learnt then that a union card stops people getting exploited and standing together is the only way that everyone can get a better life. I’ve been in a union ever since.

When I worked for the Labour party I was the Shop Steward for the T&G members. My job at Number 10 meant that I had specific responsibility for the relationship between Downing Street and the unions. Since being an MP I have worked on a number of trade union issues, both in my constituency and nationally – most recently on the Temporary and Agency Workers Private Members Bill.

Trade unions have been and will continue to be at the heart of my political life. As Deputy Leader I will keep trade unions at the heart of the Party.

How do you see the future of the relationship between the Labour Party and the unions?

The link between the Labour Party and the unions is vital to our future as a thriving political party. We have shared the values of solidarity, co-operation and the improvement of our quality of life since the Labour party’s beginnings. This shared perspective is as essential today as it was over 100 years ago.

Trade union members have a vital role in informing policy making within the party. Their direct experience of the problems facing working families and pensioners should be used to inform the debate about developing the new direction of government after the change in leadership.

We have also seen a dramatic decline in party membership over the last 10 years. But we have not done enough to make party membership relevant to the millions of people who are trade union members and paying a political levy. The Party should use the campaigning and organising skills of trade unions to rebuild membership of the Party. Sharing best practice between the unions and the Party can ensure that both organisations are stronger.

How do you think the Labour Party can help trade unions grow?

I am a firm believer in trade unions as a force for social justice. Recent figures show that the UK is the least equal society in the EU. The OECD has recognised that unions have a strong role in rebalancing societies, stating: “stronger bargaining power of trade unions is associated with lower relative poverty and income inequality” and that “the bargaining power of the unions seems to have a role in limiting relative poverty.” It is, therefore, essential that Government supports the growth of trade unions.

The heart of trade unionism is workplace organisation. Any support for growth must begin here. It is vital that trade union representatives are given adequate cover for time off and that they get access to training. With proper and enforceable facility time union reps can build membership and the reputation of the union in the workplace.

If elected Deputy Leader I would support measures to help unions grow and rebuild collective bargaining. As a first symbolic step ACAS should be given back their historic role of promoting collective bargaining, something removed by the Thatcher government. But most importantly, I would listen and engage with trade unions to develop further solutions to strengthen the role of trade unions’ in the workplace.

What are your thoughts on the Hayden Philips review into Party Funding?

The Haden Phillips review was established as a result of a few individuals lending money to all the leading UK political parties. However, Phillips has gone well beyond this initial area of concern and chosen to look into the internal constitution of the Labour party and the unions’ role within it. I strongly believe that this extension of his remit is illegitimate.

The focus of any review on money in politics in the UK should be on limiting party spending. This is the root of any fundraising issues and imbalances in party funding. The Tories are already pouring money into marginal constituencies and it is in their interests alone to cut off or limit affiliations and the organisational relationship between the Labour party and the unions. By undermining the Party/union link Phillips is attempting to interfere in the internal constitutional make up of the Party, a step even Thatcher drew the line at.

As trade unions are already the most regulated of any political donors in the country, and all individual union members can opt out of paying into their union’s political fund, this is an unnecessary diversion from the real problems of the Tories high spending throughout the political cycle.

What should the Labour Party/Labour Government do with contemporary motions that are passed at Labour Conference?

The Labour Government is elected as a result of the Labour party. Party Conference is the supreme policy making body of the Party and, therefore, the Government must act on the decisions of conference. Motions have been passed on fundamental issues such as council housing and temporary and agency workers only for these to be ignored. This cannot continue.

One of the problems with the Party currently is the loss of members and the lack of engagement with the remaining members. To rebuild and revitalise the Party it is vital to re-engergise the Party’s democracy. Too many CLPs do not send delegates to conference. Disillusionment with the role of conference is at the heart of their absence. If it is certain that the Government will take note of Conference decisions then Conference will once again have significance to CLPs.

Section 2: The Warwick Agreement

What have you done to help implement Warwick?

Over the past two years I have worked with other likeminded MPs in giving full support to ensuring pressure is put on the Government to fulfill its Manifesto commitment to implement the Warwick Agreement in full. I have attended meetings of the Trade Union Group of MPs and taken up issues with Government Ministers when appropriate.

It is my view that the Warwick Agreement and the subsequent Manifesto commitment was fundamental in motivating trade union members and other Labour Party activists and supporters to campaign and vote for a Labour victory in the last General Election. It is therefore essential that this commitment is fulfilled.

Although some issues within the Warwick Agreement have already been implemented, there still remains some very important issues that must be delivered and if elected as Deputy Leader I will continue to work towards the full implementation of the agreement.

In your opinion, what is the most important policy in the Warwick Agreement?

There are many important policy issues within the Warwick Agreement so it is difficult to pick one.

There is the commitment to not include Bank Holidays within the four weeks holiday entitlement which affects millions of working people. The issue of including Pensions & Training as part of statutory bargaining and the review of time off for union representatives are important in protecting workers rights.

The Corporate Manslaughter legislation, which is very long overdue, must be implemented in the current Bill going through Parliament. There are also the important issues that need to be addressed in regard to Manufacturing including a level playing field with Europe.

In the area of Equality there are some important outstanding issues of equality audits and a single equality act that need to addressed. And there is the issue of temporary & agency workers that must be addressed within UK legislation to prevent the wholesale exploitation of migrant and other vulnerable workers.

Our Party will have to think about the next manifesto soon - what issues would you like to see in the next ‘Warwick Agreement’?

The Policy Forum process that will shape and develop the policies for the next General Election manifesto has already started. It is important that this process is used, along with Labour Party Conference decisions to develop policies that reflect the ideas of Labour Party members and supporters. If elected Deputy Leader I will ensure that the Policy Forum process is continually reviewed to ensure it is effective in bringing forward the views of party members and supporters.

I have set out in other parts of this questionnaire my views on additional area and issues of legislation for a future Labour Government.

I believe the whole area of equality must be addressed, including equal pay audits, statutory rights equality reps and the introduction of Single Equality Act. The protection of public services and staff in transfers to the private sector and building on the whole issue of promoting and protecting the manufacturing industry are other important areas that must be addressed. In addition the issue of individual directors’ responsibility for health and safety offences must be adequately addressed in legislation.

These are just some of the areas that need we need to develop policies on for the next manifesto. It is my view that in addition to implementing the existing commitment contained in the current Warwick Agreement it is important that new policies are brought forward that will build on these areas.

Section 3: Issues for Working People

What action would you take to improve protection for Agency & Temporary Workers?

I would introduce UK legislation to give Temporary and Agency Workers equal treatment from their first day of employment.

The commitment in Warwick was to implement the European Directive on Temporary and Agency workers or, failing that, to bring in domestic legislation. I believe we now need to deliver a UK law that gives equal treatment to Temporary and Agency workers from day one.

Warwick was a manifesto commitment for this term of Government so it is now unlikely we have time for the European Directive to be implemented. Even if there is movement on the Directive the UK government can lead the way with legislation at the national level. KPMG have reported that temporary work placements are at a nine year high.

All across the country I am hearing stories about how agency workers are being used to undermine collectively bargained wages and terms and conditions. This is a key factor in the debate about immigration and security of employment, with immigrant workers being exploited and used to undermine fellow British workers. A UK law could resolve this tension in our communities.

How would you ensure that women & men are treated equally in the workplace?

This is a major and entrenched problem that cannot be answered in a single response to this questionnaire. However, I have some starting points on tackling gender inequalities.

There has been equal pay legislation now for over 30 years but there is still a 17% pay gap in the workplace overall, it is nearly 40% for women working part time. BME women suffer a double whammy with discrimination on the grounds of gender and race. The Government’s Women and Work Commission report came up with 40 recommendations to address this, but significantly did not include mandatory pay audits or statutory rights for equality reps. Both of these need to be addressed.

The Labour government has a proud record on improving family friendly rights since 1997. Maternity leave and pay have been extended, new dads have rights to paternity leave, parental leave has been brought in and there is now the right to request to work flexibly. However, women still take on the majority of family caring responsibilities and parental leave is unpaid for either gender. Giving fathers the opportunity to share some of the maternity leave and increasing support for carers will help to equalise the load for many families.

I would ensure a Single Equalities Act is introduced to simplify and improve existing equalities laws would also help.

What are your views on the transfer of public services and staff to the private sector?

I believe that we need to value the concept of public service. The first choice for work in the public sector should be direct employment. The public service ethos is what powers one of the most crucial elements of our society.

There should be a moratorium on the role of private companies in the direct provision of public services and a thorough review carried out of the effectiveness of existing private sector involvement.

When public service staff are transferred to the private sector all staff must be employed on terms equal to those of public sector employees both when a transfer has taken place but also for new employees working alongside former public sector workers. The same should apply to those voluntary organisations and social enterprises involved in public service delivery. Though we can and should work with the “third sector”, we should never advocate and adopt the same approach as Cameron’s Tories – using it to completely replace public provision.

The idea that staff and users in the public sector have competing interests needs to be decisively rejected. When reforms are considered in the public sector staff should be involved through proper consultation, they know and understand best how the provision of services work and how they can be improved.

I also believe that it is the responsibility of government to ensure that public contracts should include clauses to ensure model employment conditions. These should include a decent living wage and good sick leave and pay provisions. Recently I spoke to two Lithuanian workers, eating a lunch of cold baked beans and stale bread, who were being paid £15 per day. Amazingly, they were on a public contract.

What are your views on the role and future of private equity firms?

I have taken a close interest in the union backed campaign on this and spoken with trade unionists that have directly experienced the impact of private equity arranged take-overs. There is clearly a need for tightening the rules covering these companies and to ensure that they are made publicly accountable.

Private equity firms frequently borrow heavily to finance company buyouts. The usual aim is to make changes in the company that will please the City and then sell the business quickly. Alternatively companies are broken up and the pieces sold off individually. Either way, the interests of staff or the communities these businesses are based in are not given consideration.

The short-term focus of these businesses can mean job losses, reductions in wages and terms and conditions and the closure of pension funds. While the workers are exposed to the risks of private equity financing the directors enrich themselves with high salaries and dividends.

Pensions & training are a crucial element in the relationship between workers and employers. What role should trade unions play in negotiating the relationship?

The statutory collective bargaining arrangements must include pensions and training. These are essential elements of security of employment and trade unions have the experience to support members in recognised workplaces. But where there is a new recognition deal, under the statutory provisions, employers can exclude these elements of employment from collective bargaining – this exclusion must end.

Everyone is entitled to fourteen weeks unpaid parental leave, but this is not much use to single parents or those on low wages. What action would you take to support those parents in most need?

The low take-up of parental leave is because it is unpaid. Parental leave is a wonderful idea, but it can only ever be an idea for many if it is unpaid. The Labour government has put a lot of resources into providing support for new parents including Sure Start programmes and parenting classes. Paid parental leave should be another plank of this strategy. Paid leave will mean that parents, in the longest working hours culture in Europe, can have more time to spend with their families and that would be a benefit to those individuals and to society.

Section 4: General Political Issues

How would you ensure the defence of the UK and what role would Trident play in it?

I voted for the war in Iraq. I was wrong, and regret voting the way I did. At the time, I was convinced that Iraq had Weapons of Mass Destruction, and that a more democratic Iraq could come from the overthrow of Saddam Hussein. But there were no WMD and we have moved toward civil war and added to the instability in the world. Going forward, I think we need to internationalise the situation and bring the troops home as soon as we can do so without worsening the situation. We also need to deal with the loss of trust and sense of betrayal that is felt across all our communities in the UK.

I voted against the Government in March to set in place the replacement of Trident submarines. It seems to me that making a rushed decision to commit billions of pounds of public money now to a nuclear deterrent is the wrong choice and I believe that this should have been fully debated in public before decisions were taken. Such nuclear weapons belong to a different era, and the huge resources they demand could be far better invested in providing the resources our overstretched armed forces need more than ever. But, I Know there are many trade unionists who work in highly skilled, highly paid jobs and we need to ensure that when we make decisions like not replacing trident those worker affected are deployed into other jobs that are equally highly skilled and highly paid. We need to ensure our armed forces are adequately equipped with the resources needed to defend Britain in an uncertain world. Therefore, I am not coming at this from any sort of pacifist starting point, but from a pragmatists approach.

Do you think academy schools and trust schools are the best way of improving UK education?

Decisions on schools should be devolved to those who understand the local circumstances and needs, something which forms the very essence of accountability. On academies and trust schools, we need to pause for thought, and commence a long-overdue debate on issues like local accountability, meaningful parent involvement, and whether placing a premium on “choice” will actually lead to its opposite: a minority of over subscribed schools carefully choosing their pupils with an eye on league tables, and thereby deepening social divisions.

What more do you think the Labour Party should be doing to tackle the threat of parties such as the BNP?

I have direct experience of how to campaign against the BNP both in my constituency of Dagenham and through my involvement in the Searchlight “Hope not Hate” campaign.

The short-term campaigns need to be built through local activism addressing the lies and hate that the BNP spread through our communities. Trade unionists up and down the country have done that effectively through the Hope not Hate tour and ensured the BNP didn’t get the headlines they were hoping for after May’s local elections.

However, we need to take a longer-term view as well. Labour voters have turned to the BNP because they feel insecure. Not because of the risk of another terrorist attack but because they feel their jobs are under threat and because they are worried about decent housing for themselves and their children. We have to provide policies that address these concerns.

I have consistently said that the housing crisis is the biggest challenge the Labour Government faces.

How do you think a Labour Government should tackle prejudice against immigrants and asylum seekers?

I firmly believe that using the language of the Tories, UKIP and the BNP is not the way to deal with concerns about immigration. The temperature of this debate needs to be lowered by several degrees and to bring the facts to the fore. For example, our hospitals could not function without immigrant labour, so it is no use politicians making sweeping statements or playing fast and loose with these issues.

A clear distinction needs to be made between immigration and asylum as well. Immigration is necessary to keep our economy functioning, particularly with the demographic changes that are widely predicted and, not least, threaten pension provision for all.

We have a responsibility in the international community to provide asylum for those who need refuge from their governments. Those countries that can least afford it, those that neighbour troubled regions, carry the largest burden of providing asylum. As one of the wealthiest countries in the world it is incumbent on us to provide a safe haven for people who face persecution in their own counties.

Behind Britain’s recent economic success lies one remarkable fact. There are at least 500,000 migrant workers living and working here who are currently outside protection and regulation. Growing insecurity, in such areas as housing, education, public services and low pay, means they are often the focus of the kind of hostility that has been successfully whipped up by the racist BNP.

By recognising and addressing the issues of insecurity for all, and by dealing in facts about the benefits of immigration and community responsibility to asylum seekers, we can change the context of this debate for all.

What law would you most like the Labour Government to pass?

There will be many areas where legislation will be necessary to implement policies, but the legislation to protect temporary and agency workers that will provide a means of tackling the insecurity and divisions in the workplace is essential. This alone will address many of the concerns of natural Labour supporters, those in society the Labour Party was formed to represent.

It is also important that the corporate manslaughter legislation is implemented through the current Bill and that the issue of individual directors responsibilities are adequately addressed in further legislation to the Health & Safety at Work Act.

What parts of the European Social Model should the UK seek to emulate?

Most trade unionists remember all too well that in the dark years of the Tory Governments before 1997 Europe was the only source of employment rights for workers. In many areas it provided the only protections that workers could rely on.

The European social model is a more effective delivery of industrial relations than the Anglo Saxon style, in which the state largely allows employers a free hand. Where trade unions have a strong role in developing policy as well as in the workplace it leads to a more equal society. This is proved in particular in the Scandinavian countries but can be seen across Europe.

The EU gets a very bad press. In particular, I have recently had the chance to see first hand the work our Labour MEPs do with sister socialist parties in the European Socialist Parties (PES) group across Europe. Without them and trade unions across Europe we could not have delivered the necessary changes to the Services Directive.

How would you assist the development of trade unions and workers rights in the developing world?

The Government’s commitment to increasing spending on international aid has been inspirational and has led the way for the world’s wealthiest countries to follow. Some of the money that is being spent on building civil societies in developing countries should be channelled through the international work that trade unions are doing.

The international union to union relationships are invaluable in building organisation on the ground in countries that most need trade union support. More money should be made available from DFID’s budget for individual projects to support this.

I have been directly involved in the Justice for Columbia campaign. Trade unions can be justly proud of their role in tackling the Government on its provision of military aid to a regime that kills more trade unionists a year than any other. The Government needs to listen to the unions on this issue and to act now.

So much as been said and written about Iraq since the war, but too little has been said about the trade union movement there. Iraqi trade unionists are frequently being targeted and killed. Unjust labour laws and the starvation of funding for unions in the country are hidden scars that must be healed. The Government must do more to protect trade unionists, ensure their proper funding and to work with UK unions supporting their growth.

What is your view on the 4th Option for council housing, as called for by the Labour Conference?

I believe that Government must implement the changes called for in the repeated Conference motions on the 4th Option. I have already dealt with the need for the Government to listen to conference.

Decent affordable housing is increasingly beyond the means of millions of people. 1.5 million households are on the waiting lists for social housing. 116,000 homeless children live in temporary accommodation, and close to a million are growing up in overcrowded conditions.

This cannot be allowed to continue. This year only 25,000 social housing units will be built, satisfying a fraction of the demand. Implementing the 4th option is one means of addressing this problem.

How can a commitment to the environment help working people?

The challenge of climate change brings with it opportunities for new industries to develop, but we cannot rise to them without scientists, engineers and designers. A recent study by the Department of Trade and Industry calculated that to meet our target of 20% of electricity needs being supplied from renewables by 2020, we will have to create up to 35,000 new jobs. That will require a huge expansion in education and training. Encouragement for girls to take up the necessary subjects in schools will also help with the long term aim of equality in the workplace.

Read my statement on why trade union members should vote for me

Read my biography

Read my responses to the UnionsTogether Election Survey

View my UnionsTogether TV Interview