I'm backing Labour
From Tony Woodley Sir: In his article based on an interview with me ('How to sack Blair', 2 August), Jasper Gerard asserts that I 'intend to make Tony Blair suffer', that I plan to 'instigate a new form of entryism that will select left-wing, union-friendly parliamentary candidates' and that I 'will concentrate on ousting Blair from the union'.
These are grave charges which I refute absolutely. At no stage in the interview did Mr Gerard use the word "entryism' — had he done so, he would have got short shrift. Nor do I want to single out individuals — which I made clear to Mr Gerard.
Let us be very clear: it is in the interests of the Transport and General Workers' Union to have a Labour government supported by a strong and active Labour party. I want to play my part in achieving those aims both as a lifelong Labour supporter and as a trade-union leader. However, I am also reminding the party of its duty to reflect its members' core concerns.
Entryism is a powerful, negative accusation to make. To do so without facts to support it or without having discussed it with me beforehand says more about your writer's prejudices than it does about my politics. Entryism conjures up factions of people hiding behind a façade of democracy intent on pursuing a covert agenda. The T&G is not about that.
I want the T&G to be involved locally in the Labour party, and local Labour parties want to hear from the union. We will argue for the T&G's policies and views in the party. This is all open and above board, and intended to promote policies which have been arrived at via a democratic process through the union. It does your readers and the reputation of your magazine a disservice to purposefully misrepresent this.
I have been criticised for many things, but when I am open and honest in my answers to interview questions, I expect the courtesy of accurate reporting. I do not expect assertion and inference dressed up as fact.
Tony Woodley
General Secretary-elect, Transport and General Workers Union, London WC1
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