Labour's Two Voices The Labour Party and the Trades Union
Congress, through a joint meeting of their two executive committees, have decided to draw the bonds between them closer and co-operate more actively in the future than in the past. That is a development of some importance, and represents a decision of doubtful wisdom on the part of the political side of the Labour movement. The vote against Labour at the last election was largely a vote against a real or supposed domination of the Labour Government by the Trades Union Congress—and there was, in fact, little room for doubt about the reality of the domination. If the Trade Unions stuck to their proper task of securing better conditions for workers by negotiation with employers, and where. necessary, with the Government, within the present structure of industry, and the Labour Party pursued its own political aims in the political field, both bodies would gain greater strength and greater respect. But against attempted political domination by the Trade Unions the electors of this country are adamant, and if the Trades Union Congress and the Labour Party are to be still more closely associated in future the attempt will inevita- ably be suspected even where it does not exist.
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