Although the new arrangements for individual affiliation to the Labour Party will not come
in until after the next election, Unite has already struck back, announcing that the number of its members affiliating directly to the labour Party has halved to about 500,000 — meaning the amount of funding to Labour would fall by # 1.5 m. Unite boss Len McCluskey has said the new rules will give the unions more power over their political funds.
It gives those affected plenty of time to do something about it (assuming it is eventually enshrined in law which we won't
know until after the next election at the earliest).
Some of the measures will be introduced soon, but Mr Cameron will not embark on more radical ideas such as limiting child benefit unless he wins public support, and even then it won't be
until after the next Election.
Political analysts say a decision is not likely to be handed down
until after the next election.