Angela Rayner's proposed plan granting increased authority to trade unions is allegedly in breach of human rights regulations.
The Labour Party's deputy leader, Angela Rayner, has proposed a plan aimed at giving trade unions more power, a move that has stirred controversy and raised concerns about potential breaches of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).
Under the proposed plan, workers who join unions will automatically be signed up to pay a political levy from their subs, a change that scraps a Tory-era requirement for union members to opt in to contribute towards political funds. This change, if implemented, could raise millions of pounds extra for Labour each year, as figures show that a decade ago, £10 million of the £22 million raised by affiliated unions went to the party.
However, the proposed change has been met with criticism and warnings about potential contravention of the ECHR. Baroness Cash, in a statement made in Parliament, stated that the Labour Party or a political fund retaining subscription funds for even one second could be in breach of Article 11 of the ECHR, which guarantees the right to freedom of association.
The plan has also been compared to previous 'closed shop' cases, and critics argue that the lack of a refund mechanism for members who choose to opt out could interfere with this right. The Tory-era requirement for union members to opt in to contribute towards political funds is being scrapped by the party's deputy leader, which some see as a step towards a closed shop system.
Andrew Griffith, Shadow Business Secretary, has been among the critics, stating that the proposed union charter may be in contravention of the ECHR. Griffith further warned that Rayner's continued disregard of these concerns may indicate a prioritization of union interests over the national interest.
The proposed change has faced opposition in the House of Lords, but Rayner has announced that MPs will vote for it again next month. If the law passes unamended, it will likely be challenged in the courts by union members who do not want part of their subs to go towards political causes.
In response, a government spokesman expressed confidence that the changes are compliant with the ECHR and that members will be informed of their right to opt out of contributions. However, there is currently no information available about who would intervene in court proceedings if the proposed law change, giving more power to unions and increasing Labour's funding, contradicts human rights laws.
This development has potential implications for the future of union funding and political contributions in the UK, and the debate is expected to continue as the proposal moves forward.
