The televised leadership debates offered little hope for
workers, apart from the chance to hear from parties representing our Celtic
neighbours and the Green Party. Having viewed opinion polls the result of the
contest was that most people want the SNP’s Nicola Sturgeon to be Prime
Minister nevermind First Minister for Scotland.
But what can we as Liberal Trade Unionists draw from the
debate? What was on offer from the Lib Dem leader, Nick Clegg, was not
liberalism, it was small c conservatism. It can be clearly seen why the Lib
Dems are now regarded by progressives as the ‘Yellow Tories’.
The Greens, Plaid Cymru and the SNP did offer alternatives,
but as the old saying goes, the proof of the pudding is in the eating, and
although we consider all these parties to be progressive leaning, all have broken
their promises on becoming elected, offering ‘austerity light’ measured
cutbacks.
Liberal Trade Unionists do not believe in the austerity
message where there are other ways to balance the books. We agree with Labour
to an extent that putting people back in employment is the way forward for our
country to work and pay its way. But where is Labour or any of the others
commitment to full employment? It certainly was not mentioned.
The Liberal Party is committed to full employment. It’s
policy states
‘The Liberal Party believes that the quest for full employment
cannot be abandoned. It is a paradox of our economic system that while there is
a shortage of jobs there is no shortage of work to be done. We do not believe
that the solution lies in the creation of a low waged economy nor in “workfare”
schemes which force people to work for rates of pay barely above the level of
benefits. However, we do believe that there are options available to the Government which would reduce unemployment significantly. Tackling unemployment must be restored as the top priority of economic management. Investment in training, more flexible working patterns and schemes to bring the long term unemployed back into the mainstream of economic activity are all urgently needed.’
In addition to this the Liberal Party’s General Election manifesto states
‘Liberals
call for the introduction of a ‘Workers’ Charter’, clearly defining and safeguarding
workers’ and trades union rights. Such a charter would include the right of
every worker to join or not to join a union, and democratic procedures for the
conduct of ballots. Legislation should be introduced to
make
sure employees are involved in fundamental decisions affecting the business
they work for, such as mergers and take-overs. There should also be opportunity
for employee and community involvement in the running of state owned
enterprises’.
As can be seen, what the political leaders put
forward in the televised debate was far from the Liberal vision of the Liberal
Party and supported by the Liberal Trade Unionists. What was refreshing was the
voice given to the Celtic parties and the Greens. We would like to see this
voice extended to other smaller parties such as the Liberal Party.
