Norden Bloke,I will keep this brief,as you seem to make many assumptions,and as per usual,your comments are far out of place,on most issues. Facts yes,this part of the country for better or for was does tend to vote Labour,and yes the majority of Trade Unions do support Labour,as it was they who founded the Labour Party,not the other way around. However ,there seems to be lots of contradictions and assumptions in your remarks . 1/ you assume that I belong to a trade union that is affiliated to the Labour Party. 2/ You assume that I pay the political levy ,which members can and do opt out of. 3/ You assume that I have links to the Labour Party. 4/ You have no idea about my occupation,or indeed ,my attitudes towards work,other than the fact that I do not support the Norman Tebbit view of "get on your bikeand look for work" 5/ A VERY close family member is classed as self employed ( though by most measures of sane and rational people ,he would be classed as an employee) ,and he is a trade union member,as indeed are most of his workmates. Collectively they have still obtained better rates /working conditions and tax and legal advice,that would be unobtainable or very expensive elsewhere.So have you no mates?

Please do keep replying as I do enjoy the banter,especially from a political and trade union novice with such ill informed and fixed views and opinions,that do not hold up to scrutiny. Get your butties wrapped early for this week I would suggest.