Joint Leader of Unite Calls on Labour to Change Direction

LONDON, June 3/PRNewswire/ --

In the wake of the Crewe catastrophe, Derek Simpson, Joint General
Secretary of Unite, will warn that, "It is not the differences between Gordon
Brown and Tony Blair that are the problem, it is the similarities."

Speaking at the union's industrial conferences in Brighton this week, Mr
Simpson will call for 'New Labour' to be consigned to the history books, as
the union opens up a new front to change the policies of the Labour
Government to show the electorate that only Labour can deal with inequality,
housing shortages, rising fuel costs and the health service.

A windfall tax on the billion pound profits of oil companies would
redefine Gordon Brown's premiership and win back votes for Labour.

Mr Simpson will tell delegates, "For years the labour movement held its
breath expecting, hoping, for change after the departure of Tony Blair. While
we went blue from the lack of oxygen, the country has gone blue for the lack
of social change. Recent elections show, Labour's core supporters mark their
displeasure with Labour by abstention or switching to other parties. Both
methods will bring about a Tory government."

The union has welcomed the Government's action on agency workers which
will make it much harder for employers to treat agency workers as dispensable
labour, hired and fired at will. But the union remains hard-pressed to point
to government initiatives where working people have come first.

Instead, big business has escaped without sanction from the Government
for the grotesque excesses, the bonus culture, massive payouts for directors
regardless of success and a lack of accountability in the financial system
that caused the credit crunch. A recent study shows that the UK's top
companies are already saving GBP20 billion a year on tax through allowances
and concessions.

Mr Simpson added, "We'll be using our influence as Labour's biggest
affiliate and its' biggest financial supporter. Not by hysterical and
destabilising threats of removing financial support but rather through
persuasion and demonstrating that our policies are popular with traditional
Labour voters.

"Even one term of a Tory government could prove impossible for the trade
union movement to recover from. Many voters have no memory of the Tory years
and don't know what to expect, when they hear Cameron talk about our broken
society and the need to 'hug a hoodie' they can be forgiven for being taken
in.

"The Tories would end redistribution, they would end family tax credits
and the cold weather benefit for pensioners. They would cut back on school
and health spending, cut spending on youth services and whilst they have said
they will not repeal the minimum wage it's a safe bet that they will let it
wither on the vine so it becomes effectively worthless."

Notes to Editors:

A copy of Derek Simpson's speech is available on request.

Source: Unite the Union

For more information contact Ciaran Naidoo on +44(0)7768-931-315.

2008-06-02 19:11:43 0375362 PRNEWSWIRE