Baroness Angela Smith of Basildon, Labour’s Leader in the House of Lords, commenting on the Government defeat in the House of Lords on ‘opt-in’ and political funding in the Trade Union Bill, said:

“This resounding defeat at the hands of Peers from all sides shows just how poor the Government has been in making its case for ‘opt-in’ and an overhaul of the trade union political fund.

“Ministers should rethink their opposition to the recommendations made by Lord Burns’ cross-party Committee. Those proposals would certainly not be pain-free for the Labour Party but they suggest a proportionate, reasonable and practical compromise. A compromise that would allow the government to fulfil its manifesto commitment without placing unrealistic demands on the trade union movement.

“I also hope that Conservative MPs and others take time to read the recommendations of Lord Burns’ Committee and the evidence it took, and to then respond in an equally reasonable way when this issue comes to the floor of the House of Commons after Easter.”  

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