Today's Update From The Waugh Zone Is Titled `CORBYN’S SQUEEZED MIDDLE'

* Paul Waugh

by Paul Waugh | Politics

Squeeze had a stealthy pop at David Cameron on Marr yesterday but it’s Labour who are getting really squeezed by the Government this week.

It’s the second reading of the Trade Union bill in the Lords today and Labour and the Libs aim to take some of the rougher edges off it. But the Guardian has the scoop on a Labour document showing the party could lose £6m a year in income from the bill and changes to Short Money (taxpayers’ cash for Parliamentary opposition).

In fact, Cameron’s move will make the party more dependent on its members for funding (and the influx of members gave it a cash boost last summer), that in turn will see members perhaps demanding more of a say over policy - just as unions have for years. Trident aside, the unions and membership are often on the same page though.

And the FT has some interesting words from Unite’s Len McCluskey defending Momentum. “All those people who have said it’s a bit of a rabble and full of thuggery are talking utter gibberish and nonsense”. This was a pop not just at Michael Dugher but also, unusually, Tom Watson (who came up with the ‘rabble’ phrase).

And there’s more. The FT says Momentum’s founders are seeking union funds. At present its supporters, who number up to 100,000, do not pay any fees towards the organisation, based at the offices of the TSSA transport union.

* Paul Waugh is the Executive Editor, Politics, HuffPost UK.