Bakers’ union may break with Labour

Bakers and food workers’ union BFAWU is considering disaffiliating from the Labour Party and is currently consulting its 17,000 members on the issue. The union has started the debate within its regions and will follow this up with a survey of members.

The union was a strong supporter of the Jeremy Corbyn leadership.

An angry blog from national president Ian Hodson says: “The political direction of the Labour Party in recent months, along with the promotion of MPs who worked tirelessly to ensure that the Party lost both the 2017 and 2019 elections, has given members cause for concern.

“There is also a clear agenda to alienate any MP considered to be supportive of socialism and move them to the backbenches.”

He has also criticised the party leadership’s response to the government’s approach to dealing with the COVID crisis. He told the Morning Star: “Instead of opposing this rotten government, they have blindly supported them.”

Last October, Labour’s largest union funder, Unite, reduced its central contribution by 10%, and cuts have also been threatened by the Fire Brigades Union and the Communication Workers Union, according to the Mirror newspaper.

BFAWU’s executive committee will take a decision in May ahead of the union’s June annual conference.