The Stage

Equity members vote to change rules on expressing racist opinions

Published Wednesday 25 May 2011 at 11:42 by Natalie Woolman

Equity has voted to change the union’s rules on freedom of personal and political beliefs, in a move which could lead to the organisation disciplining or expelling racist members if they breach its opposition to discrimination.

Passed with more than 60% of the vote, the amendment follows criticism of the union in 2006 when it emerged that Simone Clarke, a ballerina and Equity deputy, was a member of the British National Party. At that time, Equity rule 3.2.17 - which guarantees the right of every member to hold and express their personal, political and other beliefs - meant the union was unable to raise the matter with Clarke, although there was no evidence that she had behaved in a racist fashion.

The rule change means that members will lose their right to express their individual beliefs if these are in breach of Equity rule 3.1.1.8. This states that the union opposes harassment or victimisation of others on the grounds of race,sex, religion, colour, class or ethnic or national origin.

At Equity’s Annual Representative Conference, general secretary Christine Payne announced that 62.36% of members had voted in favour of the rule change in thereferendum. In total, 3,061 members voted, representing an 8.4% turnout. Of those, 1,906 members backed the rule change, with 1,150 against and five spoilt ballot papers.

Martin Brown, Equity’s assistant general secretary for communications and membership support, said the change abolishes a “get out of jail free” card for discriminatory behaviour.

He said: “Until [now], under the rules if somebody was harassing someone racially, or because of their sexuality, or because of their age or whatever, they would say, ‘My union cannot discipline this because there is a ‘get out of jail free’ rule that says the union acknowledges the right of every member to hold and express their views in their personal and professional life.’

“The union had to say, ‘It is not our business because we are protecting that person’s right to hold and express those views.’ All the referendum has done is take that defence away.”

Brown would not comment on what would happen if Clarke’s case arose now as this situation was “hypothetical”.

However, he stressed: “We are a non-party-political union. We take no view on the membership of political parties by members. This is a rule about behaviour.”

While the majority of Equity members supported the rule change, there were a number who believed it would result in curbing freedom of speech within the union. Speaking to The Stage earlier this year, Dave Eager, former Equity vice president and elected member of the Variety, Light Entertainment and Circus Committee, said: “I believe this [proposed rule change] flies in the face of Equity’s long-held traditions of being against censorship and of defending freedom of expression.”