Fair play is at risk

We’ve already seen them make it harder to register to vote. Soon they will redraw the Parliamentary map in a way that benefits the Conservative Party.

Furthermore, hidden in the Trade Union Bill is a clause that is deliberately designed to cut off trade unions’ financial support for the Labour Party, while doing nothing to limit the hedge funds and millionaires that support the Tories.

They’re attacking democracy by silencing opposition, whether it’s from unions, campaigners, or charities; and by changing the rules to make it harder for anyone else to win an election.

In the Sheffield and South Yorkshire area we have not forgotten nor will easily forget the total decimation of the steel and coal industry and communities undertaken by a Tory Government.

It appears that this is about to begin again as the current Tory Government does little or nothing to bolster the UK Steel industry.

The maintenance of a strong and active trade union movement is the only way to combat the woeful inaction of the Government.

Unfortunately, for ideological reasons the Tories seem hellbent on neutering effective opposition.

As the House of Lords debate the Bill over the next weeks, I can only hope the Government will take the opportunity to embody the values of democracy and decency they claim to support, and drop these unfair proposals.

Malcolm Crapper

Ecclesfield Close, Ecclesfield, Sheffield, S35