Trade Union Bill: Government embarrassed as peers back Labour motion
Labour fears its annual income could fall by £6 million if the Bill came into effect in its present form
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The Government has suffered an embarrassing defeat in the Lords as peers voted for controversial clauses in the Trade Union Bill, which would restrict funding of political parties, to be considered by a select committee.
Peers voted 327 to 234, to give a majority of 93 to a Labour motion forcing the unusual parliamentary move.
Labour fears its annual income could fall by £6 million, as the legislation would require Labour-affiliated union members to "opt in" to paying a levy to the party instead of having it automatically deducted.
Labour's Baroness Smith of Basildon claimed democracy would be damaged if the Government pushed through the changes on funding without the situation being scrutinised by an all-party select committee first.
Lady Smith said the select committee should report by February 29, and would not hinder progress of the full Bill.
The Labour peer insisted it would be better to examine the issues involved in a select committee, rather than seeing "who can shout the loudest" on the floor of the house.
Lady Smith dismissed Government claims that it did not expect the Bill to impact financially on the Labour Party.
"We believe the Government is wrong - or at the very least, in denial, of the consequences.
"Our genuinely held concern is that this aspect of the Bill will have a significant impact on the resources of one major political party - my party, the Labour Party.
"And in doing so, it will both disrupt the political balance in the UK and have a damaging effect on the electoral process and our democracy," the Labour peer said.
Labour is also reported to be set to lose out by about £1.3 million a year when state funding for opposition parties - known as Short money - is cut.
Press Association
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments