Labour leader talks of unity

Press, 25 February 1977, Page 21

Labour leader talks of unity

PA Wellington The political and industrial wings of the Labour movement would always work together simply because they had the same goals, the Leader of the Opposition (Mr Rowling) said.

In a speech to the council of the National Union of Railwaymen, he said the political and industrial wings of the movement were, and would remain, separate organisations.

“But we largely represent the same people. We will fight together to proetet those rights. Everything else follows.” Mr Rowling said. It was interesting to note that people who had earlier shouted about union domination of the political Labour Party were now shouting, “Union disenchantment.”

Mr Rowling said the ’‘couple of domestic problems” which the Parliamentary Party had had were largely resolved. “We will now build to a good position to run up to the election. Certainly the Labour Party is internally vastly stronger than it was a year ago.” Mr Rowling said he had the feeling the Government wanted to make the trade union movement the “fall guy” for its own failures.

“When inflation for the year runs out at 15 per cent or more, it is going to claim it was the trade unions that caused the problem, with a little bit of help from the oil exporters. “We must make sure the public do not fall for that ploy.”