ABSTRACT
One of the most puzzling problems of the trade union-Labour Party alliance is what the ordinary trade unionist thinks of it all. In the earliest days of political action the law set few limits. One by one the unions began supporting Parliamentary candidates, then affiliating to the Labour Party. Few trade unionists have had a direct say about whether their union should join in political activity. From the beginning the Conservatives fought contracting-out, insisting that it gave protesters a wholly inadequate protection against victimization by their fellows. The Conservatives pledged amending legislation when they returned to power; singling out specifically the contracting-out clause and the affiliation of Civil Service unions to the Labour Party. Despite the significant fraction of trade unionists whose ‘support’ for political action rests on laziness, ignorance or fear, many members pay quite consciously and deliberately. The unions’ political activities are run by the six million or so members who pay the political levy.
