LibDems woo the unions

14 Mar 02
Charles Kennedy is attempting to forge closer ties with the trade unions and exploit widespread disenchantment with the government's management of public services.

15 March 2002

The Liberal Democrat leader made a stinging attack on Labour's handling of transport, health and education during his speech to the party's spring conference in Manchester on March 10. Kennedy criticised the government over what he said was its refusal to recognise the expertise of professionals in the frontline: 'Centralisation - that's why the government continually demoralises doctors and nurses and teachers and police officers with so many central directives and targets.'

Kennedy made a direct appeal to trade union leaders to work more closely with his party, revealing that he will shortly be having talks on the future of public services with Trades Union Congress general secretary John Monks. 'He is a man of no dogma and a lot of ideas,' Kennedy said. But he made clear that the LibDems would not rule out further private sector involvement in service provision, as many in the trade union movement would like.

After the speech, T&G general secretary Bill Morris said he was 'ready to work with anyone who shares our commitment to defend public services'. But Blair ally Sir Ken Jackson, head of the Amicus union, said Kennedy should 'not bother wasting a phone call'.


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