Debating the state of the unions today: a comment on McIlroy

Abstract

McIlroy (2000) makes a welcome contribution to the debate on the prospects for unions and the left in Britain. It is significant because it deals with the situation since the election of Labour in 1997 and how the current period can be situated in a longer historical perspective. His analysis also guides his thought on ‘what needs to be done’. In this comment, I shall develop my earlier line of argument (Gall 1998), an analysis which McIlroy effectively dismisses, as well as debate with McIlroy on his arguments and position. This comment is made in the spirit of a brief contribution that will hopefully be part of a wider debate within and without academia. Each point is not intended as a complete refutation of McIlroy, but rather a basis from which to credibly and constructively question the wisdom of his analysis.

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