Formation of the Liberal Trade Unionists

Following several email and social media conversations between likeminded individuals, it became clear there was no group which really represented radical Liberal or Liberal Socialist values within the Trade Union movement. Admittedly the Liberal Democrats have the Association of Liberal Democrat Trade Unionists (ALDTU), but the actions of the Lib Dems as part of the ruthless ConDem coalition throws serious questions on whether any ounce of liberal values exists within the leadership of the party. The fact they have not ruled out a second term in coalition with the Tories is further evidence of this.

The Liberal Trade Unionists are supportive, though not officially part of, the continuing Liberal Party (not the Lib Dems), where the true values of radical liberalism are well and truly still alive.

Liberals are actually the forefathers of the Trade Union movement. Only when the red flag of socialism offered a more revolutionary vision did the orange banner of liberty and liberalism flounder. Today with the Labour Party no longer regarded as the true party of the working classes, and with the Trotskyite and Marxist-Leninist left scrapping for the right to become 'the' so called vanguard party, large numbers of Trade Unionists are deserting socialism and rediscovering radical liberal values. Some are even finding out deep down they probably always have been  liberals!

For this very reason, the Liberal Trade Unionists have been formed to promote Liberal Trade Unionism and radical liberalism within today's trade union movement.