We know why of course, it is because they know who pulls the strings in reality and whilst it made for good telly and bluster to put a stop to endless criticism, over the summer and winter the ideas will be quietly droppped and nothing will happen. Which is why they are so keen to be seen to be supportive today.
In reality, Labour cannot survive without Union funding and the left wing of the party cannot dominate its policy agenda without Union block votes.
The UNITE union is also well capable of playing a duplicitous game. We have seen from the likes of Guido how carefully and cynically they have managed their campaign to elect 'UNITE' MP's. it is a very impressive thing too, can you imagine if we had Barclays MP's for example of British Airways MP's in the numbers of 30 or 40? (Which reminds me, a ludicrous number of MP's are ex-lawyers and barristers, so perhaps this plus lobbying/political research is the real counter balance to UNITE MP's).
However, as demonstration of how underhand UNITE can be, I have looked here at their application form. Nowhere does it explicitly mention either the support for the Labour party nor offer any way to get out of paying it. Except in Northern Ireland, where I guess they would have trouble finding a party to give their money to, as Labour does not stand in Northern Ireland!
UNITE are led by cynical, communist leaders who have no interests at heart except their own. I can't see any change coming soon, whatever the Leader of the Opposition says on the Grandstand.
