AFTER the House of Lords accepted the Lobbying Bill by just one vote the bill is now set to become law.
The TUC Congress 2013 condemned the Lobbying Bill and decided to ‘explore the potential for legal action against its implementation and co-ordinate this action with all who are willing and investigate and report to all affiliates on the practicalities of a policy of non-co-operation should the Bill become law’.
A TUC spokesman told News Line yesterday: ‘Our view is that the bill is a threat to the trade union movement and must be repealed.’
News Line asked him if the TUC would call a general strike in opposition to the bill.
He replied: ‘I don’t think that call would be relevant to the bill and the TUC wouldn’t make that call.’
At its Congress last September, the TUC stated: ‘Congress believes that the Transparency of Lobbying, Non-Party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Bill is a clear attack on democracy in this country.’
It continued: ‘Congress further notes there have been no requests for new restrictions on trade union membership from the Trade Union Certification Officer, employers or trade unions themselves.
‘The Bill would seriously limit the campaigning activity of registered third parties, trade unions, charities and others.
‘Such attacks and state-imposed restrictions run contrary to the ECHR, allowing workers to join a union for the protection of their interests.
‘The Bill restricts the campaigning activities of trade unions, charities and other civil society groups – including those who seek to protect the rights of citizens and fight oppression and discrimination.
‘They cover the lead up to local, European and parliamentary elections and also impact on the devolved administrations of Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. These provisions also attack democracy, freedom of speech and are designed to silence coalition critics.
‘The Bill totally fails to introduce transparency or accountability to the lobbying sector by limiting the Bill to consultant lobbyists.
‘The Bill creates new unjustified intrusions into individual trade unions’ membership arrangements.’
The House of Lords had inflicted three defeats on ministers during the passage of the Transparency of Lobbying, Non-Party Campaigning and Trade Union Administration Bill.
MPs overturned all three amendments.
Since the changes were not reinstated when the bill returned to the Lords, it will now become law.