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18
November 2010 (edited 16 December 2010)
Despite months of campaigning,
the Lawful Industrial Action (Minor Errors) Bill fell in the
Commons last month following dirty parliamentary tactics employed
by the Tories and a lack of support from Labour MPs.
The method of talking-out
a Bill to ensure there is no time for a genuine debate was
slammed by John Hendy QC, and described as a "shame and
disgrace" by John McDonnell MP who introduced the LIAME
Bill to the Commons. The process which denied the democratic
debate of the Bill ensured the voice of workers' was once
again silenced by the House.
The real crime on the
day was not the filibustering techniques of the predictable
Tory actors, but the failure of the Labour Party leadership
to support this mild, modest and moderate Bill. 100 MPs were
required to vote for the Bill in the Commons to enable it
to get through its Second Reading Stage.
United Campaign
Rally in support of the LIAME Bill
Through the United Campaign
alone, over 3000 supporters lobbied their MPs asking that
they attend the House of Commons to support the Bill on the
22 October. Although MPs are usually in their constituencies
on Fridays, it is an utter scandal that only 87
MPs felt the right to a democratic vote was important
enough to stay behind in Westminster.
Although the Bill has
been listed for a Second Reading on the 17 June 2010, there
will be no time for it to be debated as it is the last on
the list. But the issue is not going to go away and neither
will we. Trade unionists continue to challenge attacks on
their terms and conditions and employers continue to challenge
that democratic union right through the Courts.
The CBI and others want
to see even harsher restrictions introduced relating to the
right to strike. John McDonnell MP pointed out that if MPs
were subject to the same democratic hurdles suggested by the
CBI and Borris Johnson for strike ballots then only 38 MPs
would have been elected. Amongst those who would not be in
Parliament are George Osborne and Nick Clegg.
We must carry on with
our just cause and find another way forwards.
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