Vote YES for an NUT political fund

NUT Conference 2007 decided To ballot members on setting up political fund ‘for the Union actively to campaign at elections against political parties and their candidates who promote racist, fascist and similar views’

NUT General Secretary Steve Sinnott: The law does not distinguish between unions supporting party political candidates and simply opposing them We do make that distinction We do wish to say that no-one should vote for racist and fascist candidates who try to cloak themselves with the respectability of a political party We do not compromise our party political independence by doing so

What is a political fund? The law says that trade union party political activity must be paid for out of a political fund which members have voted to set up If a union wants to hold a meeting or publish a leaflet or an advertisement to persuade people to vote – or not to vote – for a political party during a local, Assembly, national or European election, it must pay for these activities out of its political fund

British National Party and elections Last year BNP contested 754 council seats mainly in traditional working class areas in North West, North East, Midlands and Essex In Barking and Dagenham won 11 of the 13 seats it contested Won three seats in Epping Forest, Stoke-on-Trent, and Sandwell; two in Burnley and Kirklees; one in Bradford, Havering, Solihull, Redditch, Redbridge, Pendle and Leeds 52 councillors in England, one in Wales

Why NUT needs a political fund Law prevented NUT from effectively speaking out against BNP in these elections Without political fund NUT open to legal challenge if it urges members or the electorate not to vote BNP Without political fund NUT unable to publish leaflet, take newspaper advertisement or hold meeting saying: Don’t vote BNP. Don’t vote racist or fascist

Education unions with political funds UCU (formerly NATFHE and AUT) NASUWT Educational Institute for Scotland Able to campaign against racists at elections Still maintain their political independence

No threat to political independence NUT always independent of all political parties. This will not change Political fund specifically so NUT can speak out against racist and fascist policies at elections Ballot about challenging racism not about supporting political parties

Why NUT needs to challenge racism Policies of organisations like BNP run counter to ideals of racial equality and Every Child Matters approach to education If fascists or racists gained control over local education policy this would have damaging and divisive effect on education service Teachers have professional responsibility to promote equality and counter prejudice

An NUT political fund If majority vote YES, the fee will be 1 per cent of the full members’ subscription in any given year. In 2008 this will be £1.42 If members do not wish to contribute they will have legal right to opt out. The Union will fulfil its legal duty to make this clear The Union is urging all members to vote YES for a political fund. Even if you do not intend to contribute, please vote YES, so that those who wish to contribute are able to

The postal ballot Opens on January Administered by independent scrutineers Electoral Reform (Ballot Services) Ltd Voting papers to be returned by January 28 to Electoral Reform (Ballot Services) Ltd

The ballot paper Wording complies with the legal requirements of Certification Officer, government official responsible for trade unions It asks whether or not you are in favour of a resolution that the political objects set out in section 72 of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 be adopted as an object of the Union In other words: Do you agree to the Union setting up a political fund?

Vote YES for an NUT political fund NUT General Secretary Steve Sinnott says: ‘Teachers value each and every child, irrespective of race, colour or creed. ‘I urge you to vote YES to allow the NUT to play its full part in opposing those who peddle their poisonous and divisive prejudice in the guise of an electoral platform.’