THE government yielded to pressure yesterday and announced a review of the ban on electronic voting in industrial action ballots, in a belated decision welcomed by unions.

Announcing the independent review, long called for by the unions, Sir Ken Knight, a former chief fire and rescue adviser for England who will lead the review, said: “I am pleased to play my part in considering how best to ensure that, at the time of industrial tension, individual trade union members have their voice heard in making key decisions about the future of the industry they work in.”

The Trade Union Act has been lambasted by campaigners, who argue that it is effectively a gagging order that ties unions’ hands when it comes to political campaigning and further reduces the rights of union members which have already suffered incremental attacks by successive governments.

In particular, the unions are opposed to the rule requiring strike ballots to attract a higher turnout of eligible voters (50 per cent plus) when no such rule applies in parliamentary or local elections.

TUC general secretary Frances O’Grady welcomed yesterday’s announcement, saying: “It is time to bring union balloting into the 21st century and let members vote securely online.

“Thousands of eballots are used every year by hundreds of organisations, including the Conservative Party. Allowing union members to vote online should be an uncontroversial move welcomed by anyone who values democracy.”

Shadow minister for labour Jack Dromey added: “The government demands higher turnout in industrial action ballots, yet has dragged its heels on eballoting that would make it much easier for union members to vote.

“This announcement comes only as a result of a government defeat in the Lords.”