I am one of two teacher-governors. The other is active in his union and often refers to its policies. He even says he can’t vote for this or that because of union policy. Is this right?

Certainly not. He has been elected to represent the staff, some of whom will belong to other unions, or no union. It is unfair to base is stance on his own union’s policy. I support the idea of union activists being teacher-governors; indeed their commitment and knowledge make them a natural choice. But they must be free to report staff views that differ from the union line. Ultimately they must vote purely on the merits of the argument in that school and for the children in its care.