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The General SecretaryMay 2005
The meeting was arranged by Derek Wyatt, the Labour Party prospective candidate for the Isle of Sheppey and its MP in the last Government. It was clear from the questions asked of Paul Goggins that the key principles for the POA were: 2. Why use Market Testing at all when the Prisons have not been told what improvements are needed? 3. Why not engage the staff and their representatives to cause real improvements? 4. Why use that threat of Privatisation against loyal public servants who have delivered everything that has been asked? The POA will stand firm against Market Testing and Privatisation due to it being immoral, unnecessary and unwarranted. Whilst I would thank Paul Goggins for attending the Isle of Sheppey, there was little in his comments that gave any justification to the use of Market Testing. If anything his comments and answers to the questions put by our members, only served to re-emphasise that the so called "Contestability Exercise" is born out of "Political Dogma". The National Executive Committee has met with the Home Secretary and has had follow on meetings with Prison Service Officials. We know that some Branch Officials are critical that the Special Delegates’ Conference arranged for the 18th April 2005, was postponed until the 23rd May 2005, when all three motions will be placed before Conference. Branches are currently seeking through the Rules and Constitution, a call for the Special Delegates’ Conference to be reinstated. This is the right of the membership, where the call has sufficient support. However, it is not the right of anyone to make scurrilous attacks on the National Chairman, myself and individuals on the NEC. The NEC makes collective decisions in the best interest of the membership. Our decisions in recent times have been made for that reason alone. You have heard me say on many occasions, that when we act together we are strong, but when divided we are greatly weakened. We have many serious problems to deal with. Some are external and some unfortunately, are internal. We need to express understanding to those in the forefront of dealing with these problems and not indulge some personal and political point scoring during these demanding times. I call upon all the membership, whilst still expressing their democratic views, to unite in support of their Union and not turn inwards and attack it. I wish all Delegates and Observers a constructive and united Annual Conference and I trust we can move the business of Conference to the benefit of the membership. Brian Caton Unity Is Strength
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