Len McCluskey: Hypocrite or Serious?

On 16th October 2015, in a Huffington Post blog, Len McCluskey addressed a letter he had written to then-Prime Minister David Cameron. While the Trade Union reforms proposed by Cameron’s government deserve vigorous challenge, McCluskey’s subsequent remarks raise serious questions about his commitment to English workers.

McCluskey’s Letter to David Cameron

In his blog, McCluskey argued that because the devolved administrations in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland “want nothing to do with” the bill, “English workers will be the ones to feel the brunt of these changes.” He lamented that, despite promises of “English laws for English voters,” Tories would render English employees “not just the easiest to exploit in the EU but the poorest protected on these isles.”

Opposition to English Institutions

These words are astonishing coming from a leader who actively opposes the formation of an English Trade Union Congress, even though independent Scottish, Welsh and Irish TUCs already exist. McCluskey also rejects the creation of an English government—despite Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland having their own devolved administrations.

He furthermore refuses to discuss the urgent need for an English Labour Party with its own manifesto. When challenged personally, he reportedly told the author to “F*** OFF” rather than engage on the issue of proper representation for England.

Call for an English Labour Party and Manifesto

At present, the Conservatives have published an English manifesto while Labour has not. This imbalance undermines transparency in English policy-making and must be corrected. Len McCluskey is in a unique position to demand that Labour establish a dedicated English Labour Party with its own policy platform—just as separate Labour parties exist for Wales and Scotland.

Action Over Rhetoric

Realising that English workers are disadvantaged is a welcome first step, but without concrete action, the situation will not improve. As General Secretary of UNITE, Mr McCluskey should:

• Join the English Trade Union Congress immediately.
• Support the Workers of England Union campaign for an English Labour Party.
• Press the Labour leadership to publish an English manifesto before the next general election.

If he truly believes “English workers will be the ones to feel the brunt of these changes,” then he must act now.

The Ball Is in Your Court

The Workers of England Union gives Mr McCluskey 7 days to reply. If he moves for an English Labour Party and manifesto, we will know he is serious. If not, he risks being remembered as yet another breath-takingly hypocritical figure who claims to speak for the whole UK but abandons England when it matters most.