Libertas.org - UK Unions calling for a referendum vote

UK Unions calling for a referendum vote

Written by Libertas
Thursday, 13 September 2007
Demands for a referendum were backed overwhelmingly by unions in the UK yesterday, causing huge embarassment for Gordon Brown and the Labour Party which traditionally has strong connections with the trade unions. GMB Union head, Paul Brown was quoted as saying that a referendum was a key Labour manifesto pledge - “[it] was right then and is right now”. The unions are furious over the UK’s opt-outs on the solidarity section of the Charter of Fundamental Rights. The solidarity section guarantees a wide range of trade union rights, which don’t currently apply within the UK. The unions have been at pains to suggest they are not “anti-Europe”, but they have consistently said they believe the direction Europe is going will destory the ’social model’. A major argument that the unions have consistently pointed to in their call for a referendum is that there will be a referendum in Ireland. Short of supporting a ‘no’ campaign on the refendum (which delegates voted against) unions will continue to push for a referendum within, and most worryingly for Brown, without the Labour Party.