Unite: Six ways to put fire in the belly of Alistair Darling

Unite: Six ways to put fire in the belly of Alistair Darling

Unite: Six ways to put fire in the belly of Alistair Darling

Labour must use the six months before the general election to make a real difference to the lives of ordinary people, says Tony Woodley, joint general secretary of Unite.

In a speech to be given to the “Big Four” gathering of major unions later today (Monday, 28th September), Tony Woodley will warn that the Tories must not be allowed to seize office:

“I remember the 1980s, the ruined lives and the wrecked communities – and I don’t believe the Tories have changed. It will be government by the Bullingdon Club, and education policy made in Eton, a health policy made by Bupa, an economic policy made by Barclay banks in a Parliament controlled by Michael Ashcroft’s millions,” Tony Woodley will say.

But Tony Woodley will also say that Labour has six months to show working people it is on their side, urging them to use that time to “draw a clear red line between Labour and the Tories”.

“We need to make the most of the time left to us to ensure that we go into the election with a programme that could even put fire in Alistair Darling’s belly.

“Is it too much to ask that the Government does one simple thing in each of those six months to make a difference to the lives of working people?”

Among the changes Tony Woodley is calling for are action to save skilled manufacturing jobs; for government to use the power of the public purse to support employment; for legislation to stop UK companies being bought by overseas interests; and for the introduction of a windfall tax on the excess profits of the privatised energy companies.