Comments on: Ken still ahead with Ipsos MORI

By: simon cooke

simon cooke — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 11:35:57 +0000

I feel suitably chastised over the matter of Unison although some of the answers do beg the question about the purpose of opinion polling. Moreover, JohnH you would do well not to make assumptions about the motives of others in making statements – I have nothing against trades unions despite their best efforts to make the case against.

It may not be any of my business to have raised the matter but it was meant in the spirit of debate not as some partisan attack on Unison. Were I a member I might well ask questions about the legitimacy of such spending but as the union is a private organisation it can do as it pleases.

By: JohnH

JohnH — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 11:17:15 +0000

Wolf
What’s this about Unison using public money? Their finances come from the personal contributions of its members (who are aware that it has a political fund and traditionally supports Labour).
On the other hand, when I buy e.g. a pint of beer I may well be contributing, indirectly and unwillingly, towards expenditure on Conservative propaganda if the business concerned makes a political donation.

By: JohnH

JohnH — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 11:06:56 +0000

Simon Cooke
Anthony took the words out of my… fingers (for once)
Also, being a democratic body, if a significant proportion of the membership of Unison agree with you, and feel their money is being wasted, they can take appropriate action – or at least make a fuss. Maybe I misjudge you, but I am fairly sure your hostile reaction to this owes more to your dislike?/distrust? of Unions than concern about how their members’ money is allocated.

By: wolf

wolf — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 11:06:00 +0000

I thik there are three issues with the Unison poll.
One is that unions have a political fund – Unison uses that fund to support the Labour Party and therefore will support Ken Livingstone. Any member who objects can withdraw from the political fund.
Two – is this actually helping Ken? If the poll is seen as biased probably not. I think members of the public have a great deal of cynicism towards polls generally.
Three – local government employees are there to serve the voters. If the voters feel they’re being abused then Unison will have problems. The voters may feel Unison is using public money for sectarian ends.

By: Anthony Wells

Anthony Wells — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 14:31:00 +0000

If the poll helps Ken Livingstone’s campaign (which it probably did, by – along with ICM – preventing him looking totally dead in the water)
then what’s the difference between spening money on a poll and spending it on campaign leaflets or advertising?