| Abstract: | The Trade Union Act 1984 required trade unions to reballot their members on continuation of their political funds. In the 1980s, and again in the 1990s, all unions voted for retention. A third round of balloting has now taken place. This article reports a further round of success, analyses the outcomes and compares this round with the two previous rounds. The results are considered in the light of the changing relationship between unions and the Labour Party as part of the ongoing ‘contentious alliance’. A distinction is drawn between the right to campaign politically and direct links to the Labour Party. |
