GENERAL ELECTION 2015 - A UNISON ACTIVISTS CAMPAIGN GUIDE - CARE FOR IT?
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General election 2015
A UNISON activists campaign guide
Care for it?
VOTE FOR IT.General election 2015
Contents
Introduction 3
What difference can we make? 3
UNISON’s alternative to austerity 3
The Lobbying Act – what you need to know 4
UNISON’s election strategy – the five key principles 4
How to prevent another Tory-led government 4
Tackling intolerance 5
Next steps: holding a branch planning session 6
Frequently asked questions 7
Useful links and contacts 8
2A UNISON activists campaign guide Care for it?
VOTE FOR IT.
Introduction What difference can UNISON’s alternative
Without question, the general election we make? to austerity
in 2015 is the most important since Public opinion polls suggest 2015
the formation of UNISON. This Public services
will be one of the closest elections
campaign guide sets out why and in recent history. This means that A new deal to pay for public services,
provides information to help activists everything is still very much to play for. including higher taxes on those at
and members to get involved. The future is in our own hands. the top, writing off some of the debts
In terms of public services, the jobs of created by the financial crisis and
At the same time it is increasingly clear more freedom for local authorities to
UNISON members and the ability of all that austerity doesn’t work – and that
working people to organise to protect set council tax and borrow.
people want a change. Despite the
and advance their living standards, pain caused to millions who have seen NHS
there could not be more at stake. So services cut, the deficit is now higher
we all need to do our bit to kick out Co-operation and collaboration in
than the government said it would place of competition, repeal the
the Tory-led coalition. be. This is precisely because austerity damaging Health and Social Care act.
The Conservative Party’s commitment leaves people poorer and therefore
to further cuts spells disaster for the less likely to spend their pay. This in Housing
most vulnerable in our society. The turn reduces demand in the wider
economy and damages the economic Recognition of the role of increased
plans set out by George Osborne in
recovery. public investment in decent affordable
the 2014 autumn statement propose
homes in securing economic recovery.
reducing the share of our nation’s It’s in this context that UNISON
wealth spent on public services and activists and members have a key Decent jobs with decent pay
the welfare state back to levels last role as campaigners in the election:
seen in the 1930s. This will result in: Ending the job cuts in public services
highlighting the impact of cuts and and tackling the squeeze on pay that
• a further one million job losses austerity on the public services in has left most of us worse off.
across public services which we work; impressing upon our
work colleagues and communities A fairer society
• deterioration in the public services the case for a change; and engaging
that we all depend upon An end to the politics of division that
with candidates for political office on
scapegoats economic migrants and
• a continuation of the draconian the need for an alternative agenda –
the most vulnerable for the economy’s
squeeze on pay that has already including the ideas set out by UNISON
ills.
cut average public service in our public services manifesto
employee pay by more than Securing the future of our public For more information see Securing the
£2,000 a year since 2010 services. future of our public services.
• even more outsourcing and
privatisation, including in the NHS.
Alongside a further lethal dose of
austerity, the Conservative Party want
to make life harder for UNISON and
other trade unions to stand up for
people at work. Plans are being drawn
up that would result in the introduction
of a 40% minimum support threshold
in industrial action ballots in the
public sector and new anti-strike laws
preventing rolling action. Attempts
are also being made to prevent union
subs being paid through check-off/
DOCAS.
3General election 2015
The Lobbying Act – what UNISON’s election How to prevent another
you need to know strategy – the five key Tory-led government
Because of the Lobbying Act, principles There are lots of ways members,
which came into law in 2014, activists and branches can get
we do need to change the way involved in the general election
we campaign. Introduced by the 1. Make the election the Number campaign. Set out below are four
coalition government, the Act places One campaign priority for the options. It is not an exhaustive list.
restrictions on the amount that union in 2015. You can also do more than one at a
UNISON (and other campaigning 2. Focus on the political time. Your branch or perhaps self-
organisations) can spend on public- communications and campaign organised group might have its own
facing campaigning and requires us to techniques that are likely to be the ideas about what might work best
include staffing and other resources most effective. where you live and work.
when calculating campaign costs.
3. Target key election battlegrounds. Whatever you do you should keep in
In short, everything the union does mind UNISON’s key election campaign
that can be seen as seeking to 4. Continue with existing principles (see left). You can discuss
influence how the general public campaigning that has a relevant the options with your colleagues at
votes at the election will have to be political angle, but also help a planning session (see page 6). You
accounted for. develop new capacity where it’s can also get help from your UNISON
needed. regional officer.
However, there is still a lot that we can
do to in the coming months to ensure 5. Ensure our campaign messages 1. Discussing the issues
that there is a change of government. are reflective of who we are and
at work and in our
what our campaign priorities are
The cost of communications with (as set out in Securing the future communities
UNISON members is not counted of our public services).
as something we have to declare. Don’t underestimate the importance
This means that we can highlight to of simply raising political issues in
our members what’s at stake at the conversation with work colleagues
election – and where the different friends and neighbours.
parties stand on the key issues that Polling shows that many are still to
face public services. Most Labour make up their minds and that face-to-
Link activities won’t be covered face communication is the most likely
by the Lobbying Act either, so the form of communication to actually
contributions of members who opt change someone’s mind or encourage
into the Affiliated Political Fund can them to vote or act in a particular
continue to be used to support Labour way. It is much more effective than a
in the key marginal seats. leaflet (though they have their place,
Finally, activism and volunteering along with emails and posters etc).
by our members, as long as it does Putting together a plan for speaking
not involve the union’s resources, to our own members at this time, and
does not count under the Lobbying encouraging them in turn to speak
Act. Clearly it is this activism that is to others, should be a key part of
the key ingredient in any successful any activity. It should also be noted
campaign. As such it’s crucial that we that evidence shows that you, the
all spend the coming months getting representatives of the union have a
out and talking to UNISON members, very high trust rating among the wider
listening to their concerns, discussing membership. They will listen to us!
what’s at stake, explaining the union’s We need to listen to their concerns
approach, providing information to and talk about the impact on public
members about how to get involved services and jobs of a further term of
in campaign activity, either through Conservative-led government.
the branch, the Labour Party, Hope
not Hate or local community anti-cuts UNISON’s education team (Learning
campaigns. and Organising Services) has
designed some short courses to help
you start political conversations and
hold meetings on the issues at stake
4A UNISON activists campaign guide Care for it?
VOTE FOR IT.
at the election. Your regional organiser • reversing the cut in the top band 3. Refocusing local anti-cuts
can help you set one of these up – of tax, putting it back to 50% and campaigns on the election
maybe at a special branch meeting or introducing a new 10p starting
in a lunch break. You can also think rate In many parts of the country there
about how we take our political talking will already be local campaigns up
• a review of TUPE to strengthen and running that will gain added
points out into our wider communities.
protections when workers transfer significance in the context of the
As suggested above these might
between employers general election.
be where we live. Or they might be
groups or clubs that we are members • a reaffirmation of collective In many cases UNISON members
of, including self-organised groups. agreements and equal pay will already support such campaigns
2. Volunteering to help the • fairer funding for local government and activists may be fully involved.
Examples might include campaigns
Labour Party • establish the Education Support about local NHS services, library
The only way to get rid of the coalition Staff Negotiating Body. closures, adult social care, private
is for Labour to win seats and gain Further details can be found on rents or the Living Wage.
power. So any help UNISON members Labour’s website In such cases those involved in the
can give locally would really make a
campaign can think about how the
difference.
How to find out more issues play out in the political context.
Labour has targeted 106 seats across For example, can a campaign about
the country to try and win back and Labour will be fighting every seat in saving local services that have been
form a majority government. England, Wales and Scotland so it under threat from closure, reduced
is easy to volunteer locally via your opening or privatisation be used to
UNISON is affiliated to the Labour Constituency Labour Party. You can highlight differences between the
Party and through this affiliation has also volunteer online and the Labour candidates at the election?
campaigned for a number of policy Party will get back to you. This can
commitments that would directly sometimes feel a big step for people Have a think about local campaigns
benefit UNISON members. who haven’t been involved previously. that fit this category and how you
But our members will be made to might approach others involved to re-
A Labour victory would result in a
feel very welcome. Everything will be invigorate them in the months ahead.
significant number of policies being
introduced that would improve the done to help and support volunteers 4. Tackling intolerance
lives of UNISON members across the who have not been involved in political
UK. campaigning previously. Alternatively The lead up to the 2015 election
your UNISON regional organiser will has already thrown up intolerant
These include: help put you in touch. Sometimes and inflammatory rhetoric that seeks
• repeal of the Health and Social you will be campaigning alongside to exploit economic anxieties, job
Care Act plus extra NHS funding members of other unions, through a insecurity and low pay to divide
and staff dedicated union/Labour Party body our communities and marginalise
called TULO (see page 8). vulnerable groups of people. This is
• a commitment to raise the only likely to get worse as the election
minimum wage to at least £8 Types of activity include: gets closer. Your voice and your
during the next parliament • leafleting your neighbourhood contribution will be crucial, particularly
• an increase the number of living talking to other members and
• putting a poster in your own supporting UNISON self-organised
wage employers including the use window
of public sector procurement groups’ activities and campaigns.
• canvassing (knocking on people’s Young people, Black communities
• tackling zero hours contracts doors and asking them how they and low-paid workers are less likely
• an end to 15-minute social care plan to vote) to be registered to vote and many
visits and payment for travelling are located in significant numbers in
• stuffing envelopes marginal constituencies. Raising their
time for care staff
• working on a telephone bank turnout will be crucial. Each region
• build 200,000 new homes a year has a lead contact who will be co-
by 2020 • helping with the visits of leading ordinating activities in your area. Your
politicians regional organiser will help put you in
• tackling energy prices
• driving. touch.
5General election 2015
UNISON works around the year with Next steps: holding a • Can you hold an event to enable
groups such as HOPE not hate and the wider membership/workforce
other local anti-racist, anti-fascist branch planning session in your workplace to discuss the
campaigns to tackle racism and to To start planning how the branch and issues that are at stake at the
organise local communities against the members can be most effective in the election. This could take the form
politics of hate. Many will already be run-up to the election start by thinking of hustings, to which candidates
active, but encouraging other UNISON through the answers to the following are invited.
members to become engaged in local questions: • Do any of your colleagues work
community activities and building their
• What are the dynamics of the shifts? If so, encourage them to
reach and capacity is one of the most
constituencies in which members register for a postal vote. (See
positive responses we can make to
live and work? For example, is page 8)
those who seek to divide working
people. your workplace in a marginal • Can you set up a UNISON
constituency, or a safe Labour/ LAOS (Learning and Organising
A link to HOPE not hate and other Conservative or Liberal Democrat Services) election campaign
relevant campaigns can be found at seat? course? There are many new
the end of this document in Useful
• Do many of the branch’s members courses that have been put
links and contacts.
live in neighbouring constituencies together to help branches plan
– and if so, are these marginal? election-related activity.
• Are there council elections on the • Can you set up a buddy scheme
same day as the general election? in which active campaigners
and or Labour supporters in the
• Can you evaluate the suitability branch help those who have not
of any of the options in How been involved before?
to prevent another Tory-led
government (see page 4) for your • What will happen when? Draw up
branch and/or members of it? a local general election campaign
timeline.
• If you and other members live and
work in safe or no-hope seats, • How will you try to increase the
would people be willing to devote intensity of your campaign the
some time, however limited, to closer we get to the election?
doing some campaigning in a
target seat in your region?
• What experience do activists and
members in the branch have of
getting involved in election and
election-related campaigns?
• Are there members / activists
in the branch who are already
involved in either the local Labour
Party or other campaigns?
• How can you get more people
involved?
• Can you issue a call for
volunteers?
• Can you get involved in
encouraging members to register
to vote, if they aren’t already?
Young people and BME members
are least likely to be registered to
vote. (See page 8)
6A UNISON activists campaign guide Care for it?
VOTE FOR IT.
Frequently asked neighbouring key seats that they can
get to.
questions
Does UNISON support tactical
voting?
What are the key election dates? It’s up to individual members to make
The ‘long campaign’ runs from 18 these decisions. A recent survey
December 2014 to 30 March 2015. of members suggested that more
During the long campaign period than a quarter would consider voting
political parties and other campaigners tactically.
that spend money on their campaigns
I have a local election on the same
need to account for their spending
day as the general election
and stick within limits.
It’s possible that there will be local
Start of short campaign – 30 March
elections on the same day as the
(final 26 days until polling day)
general election where you live. Where
Deadline for registering to vote – this is the case branches will want
20 April think about how they can engage
with council candidates on cuts to
Deadline for requesting a postal vote
local public services – and ensure
– 21 April
that these are on the agenda of local
Polling day – Thursday 7 May. media.
What resources are available for
campaigning?
The union is producing some
‘pledge to vote’ cards and other
useful campaign tools. Government
websites include voter registration
and postal vote applications that
can be downloaded (see page 8).
Although available resources are
severely restricted by the Lobbying
Act branches are also welcome to bid
to the General Political Fund (GPF)
to support issue-based campaign
activity. The GPF cannot be used
to campaign for a particular political
party, but can be used to encourage
people to vote and urge them to
consider the issues at stake at the
election etc. Regional organisers will
help branches to complete GPF bid
applications.
What if I am not in a target seat?
Although the union is targeting
its resources towards marginal
constituencies there is still lots that
can be done in other parts of the
country. There is important work to
do to ‘get out the vote’ in safe seats –
and virtue in maximising participation.
However, we do urge those in safe
or no-hope constituencies to try
and spend at least some time in any
7General election 2015
Useful links and Applying to vote by post
contacts https://www.gov.uk/government/
publications/apply-for-a-postal-vote
Securing the future of our public
services: A UNISON manifesto
https://www.unison.org.uk/ Operation Black Vote: Power of
Catalogue/22518 the Black Vote in 2015
http://www.obv.org.uk/sites/
default/files/images/downloads/
Target Labour seats Powerofthe%20BlackVotev3.pdf
http://labourlist.org/2013/01/labours-
106-battleground-target-seats-
for-2015/ TUC young worker registration
http://www.tuc.org.uk/young-workers/
young-workers-month/tuc-voter-
Labour election commitments registration-packs
http://www.labour.org.uk/pages/
changing-britain-together
Trade Union and Labour Party
Liaison Organisation (TULO)
Volunteer for the Labour Party http://www.unionstogether.org.uk/
https://donation.labour.org.uk/index. pages/member_unions
php/volunteer-pledge-home
HOPE not hate For more information contact
http://www.hopenothate.org.uk/ David Arnold, campaign co-ordinator
d.arnold@unison.co.uk
UNISON’s political fund
http://www.unison.org.uk/political-
funds
Effective campaigning: A UNISON
Guide
http://www.unison.org.uk/
catalogue/19308
Government voter registration
website
https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote
Designed and produced by UNISON Communications Unit. Published by UNISON, UNISON Centre, 130 Euston Road London NW1 2AY
CU/FEBRUARY 2015/23037/stock no.3499
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