Labour’s Leader in the Lords Angela Smith, whose motion to establish the special select committee on the Trade Union Bill was overwhelmingly supported by Peers, responding to its report published today, said:
“I welcome the Select Committee’s Report and thank the Chair, Lord Burns and all involved for their detailed examination and scrutiny of this crucial issue. It is clear from the conclusions that Labour was right to call the Government out on the political funding clauses, and for the House of Lords to support an inquiry that would allow us to fully understand the implications.
“The report confirms that reversing the current 'opt-out' process to 'opt-in' would have a huge and significant impact on Labour’s finances. All members of the cross-party committee agree that it would take at least 12 months to implement such proposals, and the majority consider it should only apply to new members.
“With nothing being done to address big donations to the Conservative Party, I hope the report paves the way for a fair, reasonable and lasting agreement on party funding – in stark contrast to David Cameron’s partisan attack on Labour and the trade unions, and by extension democracy itself.”
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Baroness Angela Smith of Basildon is Labour's Leader in the House of Lords. She tweets @LadyBasildon
Published 2nd March 2016
*Summary details and the full report can both be found HERE.
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