Delegates at NUT17 give John McDonnell a standing ovation.

Steve Walker is absolutely right in his summation – the decision of the NUT to to affiliate to the Labour Party because of fear that Blairites will retake control at the national conference is understandable, but will weaken both sides.

Right-wing followers of Tony Blair had refused to talk with NUT representatives because the union had opposed the Private Finance Initiative (PFI) which has since been shown to be hugely expensive, and academies.

They called the union’s members “enemies of promise” while setting up the apparatus with which the Conservatives have been able to ruin the UK’s education system.

A return to those bad old days would weaken an NUT that had re-affiliated to Labour. But affiliation to a Labour Party that remains on its current course would strengthen them both.

It’s another reason to ensure the right-wingers don’t get their way in the autumn.

The [NUT – National Union of Teachers] Conference [has] voted by the narrowest of margins – 50.63% to 49.37% – against exploring affiliation to the Labour Party.

Unions affiliated to Labour play a major role in developing the party’s policies. The FBU (Fire Brigades Union) re-affiliated to Labour in 2015, shortly after Corbyn’s election as leader.

So why would the NUT – albeit narrowly – reject exploring such a move?

The answer can be summed up in one word: Blairites.

The main reason given during the debate for not doing so was the fear that the agitating Blairite faction might succeed in regaining control of the party via its machinations at the Labour Conference in Brighton this autumn.

The decision of the NUT not to affiliate is entirely understandable given these reasons – but it is weakening both the union and the Labour Party.

Source: NUT narrowly decides not to affiliate to Labour – because Blairites | The SKWAWKBOX

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