Unison are wrong in barring Ukip from event.

Much as I hate to say it the decision to bar a Ukip AM  from a council-wide meeting against funding cuts is the wrong one.

Organiser Unison said it would be “inappropriate” for Ukip politicians to attend the meeting after its Neath Port Talbot branch had “openly and publicly campaigned” against their policies.

All South Wales West region AMs were invited but Caroline Jones was told later her invitation was an error.

Unison said including a UKIP politician would be against its members' wishes.

"It is my belief that by not being allowed to attend these meetings, Unison have obstructed an AM from representing the constituents by whom she was elected," Ms Jones said.
"This decision flies in the face of democracy."

UKIP said more than 130,000 people had voted for the party in the 2016 assembly election, and the party's views should be heard.

A spokesman for Ukip Wales said:

 “The decision by Unison to ban Caroline Jones from participating insults the more than 130,000 people who voted Ukip at the last assembly elections. Rather than supporting an inclusive social democracy, Unison are obstructing an elected representative of the people of “How can they possibly claim to support democracy when they will only allow people whom they agree with at their events?”

Unison has called employees together to demand more funding from the Welsh Government for 2018/19, saying any reduction would “undermine the quality of public services in our community” and “threat-en service cuts, job losses and privatisation”.Wales.

Mark Fisher, from Unison’s Neath Port Talbot branch said: 

“This is a local Unison branch organised and run event. “Politicians attending recognise severe UK government spending cuts have damaged Neath Port Talbot communities and the urgent need to end austerity. “This meeting is to explore the importance of investment in public services and how best to promote fairer funding for Wales.
“As Neath Port Talbot branch has openly and publicly campaigned against Ukip policies and principles, it would be inappropriate and against our members wishes for Ukip to be included in this event.”

Whether we like it or not Ukip (for now) have democratically elected  members of our Assembly and whilst I wish other AM tried to avoid being seen to cozening up to Ukip AM by joining in group photos for example they deserve the same rights in the Assembly as all the other Parties.

Yes its up to Unison who they invite , but in doing so they give  ammunition to Ukip who can accuse the left of being undemocratic.

To some extent I agree with no Platform for Racists but nasty as Ukip are I don't think this applies to them though they are heading that way,

In my experience  of election hustings the Ukip candidate is usually absent I suspect because they can't face interrogation from the public.

Surely it is better to have Ukip at the meeting and question tier polcies rather than allow them portray themselves as victims.

Has South Wales West  Tory AM Suzy Davies  been invited?

Inviting them is not an endorsement in the same way as inviting a Tory wouldn't be