We have a predominantly right wing media in the UK and sadly many people believe what they read in the gutter press without further research or challenge.

So, for your information, no union member is obliged to contribute to a union's political fund should they not wish to do so. They can opt in or opt out. The shareholders of political donating companies have no such right.

A very interesting report out today regarding the £37 BILLION spaffed away on the "world beating" test and trace system.
Pretty much zero value for money but, front line NHS workers have their pay rise cut from the 2.1% agreed (pre pandemic) in 2019 to a pitiful 1% now and this comes after perhaps THE most testing year that The NHS have ever experienced.

All political donations of public companies have to be declared and shareholders can object and stop them. Shareholders can sell their shares if they don't like what is going on - simple really. Just the same as the unions you pay in but you have no sway on how it is spent.

Its not the same. You can remain a member of the union and not pay into the political fund, but as a shareholder you have to go with the majority or leave.

This government has consistently shown its incompetence, its ability to lie and its ability to direct tax payers money towards its donors and friends. Consequently, its hardly surprising that people are questioning why test and trace has cost so much and where the money's gone. No doubt there will be a public enquiry once all the dust has settled - and once Johnson ( the ex PM) is touring America on a lucrative book and lecture tour.

The privatised world beating test and trace was funded to ensure no more lockdowns would be necessary after the first, how well is that going.

That's democracy surely both have the same options - if you don't agree you can act either sell the shares or leave the union - its the same. Once you pay in to Unite you have no say in how Big Len spends it.

I would agree - but if you want to criticise the track and trace then at least split the costs out and try and then subject the potential waste to scrutiny.

The testing system ramp up has been very impressive - the tracking was always going to be an issue even in Germany the positives got beyond a number that their trace could no longer function which was the major reason for their lockdown over Christmas.

As for protecting from another lockdown two things stopped that happening - a new more virilent variant and the student all going back to uni. One was a government decision and one was just what a virus does

Its not the test and trace system at fault, it is covidiots ignoring the rules.

If you read my post again you'll see that there is a difference.
You can be a Union member and opt out of the political donation - even if the majority of Union members opt in. That is in stark contrast to being a shareholders. If the majority of shareholders agree with giving a political donation then the minority have to go along with that decision - or leave.

And yet people still vote for them. Why? Because the alternative is an utter shambles

LOL

Kobe Bryant’s wife must be so relieved you didn’t take her late husbands name for your Nic

Kobe Bryant's wife?