When he’s not frequenting sex bars in Bangkok or organising crippling strikes closer to home, Derek Simpson has been harassing candidates about their support for his socialist dream state Cuba:

Derek Simpson
Joint General Secretary
Unite
35 King Street
London WC2E 8JG

29th March 2010

Dear ███████████████,

███████████████████

As the Joint General Secretary of Unite, a trade union with almost 2 million members I am contacting Prospective Parliamentary Candidates to hear their views on Cuba.

If elected as an MP would you support better relations between the UK and Cuba?

As you will be aware the United Nations voted last year, for the 18th consecutive time, to condemn the United States blockade of Cuba. The United Nations voted by 187-3, with the UK Government voting to end the blockade. It has been estimated that the blockade has cost the Cuban economy at least $98 billion over 50 years.

In the 2008/09 Parliamentary session 248 MPs signed Early Day Motion – 1171 calling for better relations with Cuba. The signatories to this Motion came from the Labour Party, Conservative Party, Liberal Democrats, Scottish National Party, Plaid Cymru, SDLP, DUP, Respect and independents.

The UK has much to gain from better relations with Cuba. Not least in terms of trade which will benefit the UK economy, but also in sporting and cultural links. My members, who are voters in every constituency in the UK, would like to hear your views on Cuba. Specifically I would like to ask you this one question.

If elected as an MP would you support better relations between the UK and Cuba?

Kind regards,

Derek Simpson

Joint General Secretary – Unite

Whenever you hear Unite suggest they are not a radical or dangerous left-wing organisation just remember who their bedfellows are.