Firefighters’ union breaks Labour link

THE Fire Brigades Union has voted to break its 86-year affiliation with New Labour in a move instigated by a Northern Ireland member.
21 June 2004

The vote at the national conference was in response to a motion moved by Tony Maguire, a firefighter and member of the Belfast-based Socialist Party.

Mr Maguire said the FBU had been "demonised" by the Government during its pay dispute.

The vote was carried 35,000 to 14,000, prompting Mr Maguire to call for the creation of a "new working class party".

Belfast-based FBU spokesman Jim Barbour said it was a historic decision, as the union was the first to break from New Labour. The disaffiliation was effective immediately. He said the FBU gave £50,000 a year to Labour.

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