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by Paul Donovan
The Communication Workers Union will recommend its members vote No to Scottish independence following an overwhelming vote at its annual conference yesterday.
CWU deputy general secretary Andy Kerr urged delegates in Bournemouth to vote No because of the negative impact on pensions, the universal postal service and broadband delivery across Britain, pointing out that the large rural areas would suffer in particular.
The union’s national executive recommended a No vote following two branch forums, a series of independent member meetings and two polls of members showing a 60 per cent support for a No vote while only 26 per cent would opt for independence.
“We weighed up the feedback and feel that a No vote will help sustain occupational pension schemes, keep the universal postal service and deliver broadband services,” said Mr Kerr.
Some delegates argued that the CWU should leave it up to the people of Scotland to decide how to vote.
“We want a neutral view, let members in Scotland take the decision,” said Willie Marshall of Scotland No 2 branch, who added that Unite and Unison have taken a neutral position, leaving it for individual members to decide on the issue.
Merseyside Amal’s Phil Duffy supported the EC’s position, asking what would happen if Scottish Labour MPs were no longer in Westminster.
He felt there were too many unanswered questions and that the union had every right to play a role in the debate.
“This union is right to say no,” said Mr Duffy.
But Rob Wotherspoon of Bristol and District Amal retorted that if England’s decision to keep electing “Tory scum bags” should not be foisted upon Scotland and beyond.
CWU general secretary Billy Hayes said the decision was “based on a need for unity against austerity and the barrage of cuts from the coalition government and the SNP in Scotland.”
The debate came as Lib Dem Treasury Secretary Danny Alexander called on the Scottish government to produce its own “realistic analysis” of the cost of independence as Westminster prepares to publish findings on the financial impact of a Yes vote “in more detail than ever before.”
