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All eligible Unison members who pay the political levy (known as Labour Link or APF) should have got this email. Let our National Labour Link Committee know your views about who to support (I am also on the Committee).
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Showing posts with label Labour Party Leadership. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Labour Party Leadership. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 27, 2016
UNISON Consultation on Labour Party Leadership contest
Thursday, July 23, 2015
UNISON Selection of Labour's Leader and Deputy Leader Candidates
I hope to be able to attend the UNISON National Labour Link leadership nomination meeting as a re-elected NEC Member (NEC will elect the same day - fingers crossed). It will be good to get the views of London on who we should nominate. I will also consult with my branch and Community Service Group colleagues.
APF MEMBERS
Dear UNISON Member,
Selection of Labour's Leader and Deputy Leader Candidates - UNISON Members Canvassing Survey
Following the recent General Election and the resignation of Ed Miliband the process is now underway to elect a new Leader and Deputy Leader of the Labour Party. UNISON is eligible to make a nomination and is seeking your views so these can be considered by the National Labour Link Committee when they meet next week. All members are encouraged to participate and have their say.
We would be grateful if you could take a few minutes to answer a very quick survey (there are only 3 questions and it should take just a moment). Just click here to start: (Survey Monkey link on email only). The survey will close on 12 noon on Tuesday 28 July.
The four candidates standing for Labour Leader are Andy Burham, Yvette Cooper, Jeremy Corby and Liz Kendall. In accordance with the agreed process UNISON London Region encourages you to support candidates who have shown a commitment to UNISON values by joining our union. These are:
" BURNHAM, Andy
" COOPER, Yvette
" CORBYN, Jeremy
The five candidates standing for Deputy Labour Leader are Ben Bradshaw, Stella Creasy, Angela Eagle, Caroline Flint and Tom Watson. In accordance with the agreed process UNISON London Region encourages you to support candidates who have shown a commitment to UNISON values by joining our union. This is:
" EAGLE Angela
To view opening and closing statements from the candidates at a hustings event at UNISON's National Labour Link Forum please go to
http://www.unison.org.uk/news/labour-contenders-make-their-pitch-to-unison-members
The responses of the survey will be forwarded to the National Labour Link Committee who will make the nomination.
Wednesday, July 15, 2015
West Ham Labour Party Nomination for Leader, Deputy & City & East Thursday 23rd July 2015
When and where:
When: 7.30pm on Thursday 23 July
Where: Vicarage Lane Community Centre, Govier Close, E15 4HW
What will happen at the meeting?
Information about all the candidates for all three positions will be available at the meeting. You can find out more about the candidates for Leader and Deputy Leader by clicking here. If you want to ensure the meeting considers a particular candidate please come ready to propose that candidate.
Members will then have a chance to discuss the merits of each of the proposed candidate for that position. After the discussion all members at the meeting will be able to vote on who they would like our CLP to nominate/select. We will be using the single transferable vote (preference) system. There will be three votes (for Leader, Deputy Leader and London Assembly) at the meeting.
We'd really like to welcome new members - as well as debating and voting, there will be a chance to meet other members and supporters. We will have food available for a small donation. And we will, of course, be holding a raffle...
After the meeting
Every member (and supporter) of the Labour party (whether at the meeting or not) will then receive a postal vote for each of these three elections in mid-August with the results being announced mid-September
The small print...
To take part in the branch meeting and the all-members ballot in this selection you must have joined the Labour Party on or before 1 July 2015. Please bring your membership card with you to help us check your membership quickly. In addition, you must not be in arrears with your membership subscription. If you have any concerns about your membership email us now.
Any disputes on eligibility that cannot be resolved by the Constituency Party will be referred to the London Labour Party for decision.
Look forward to seeing you on 23 July. If you have any questions about the event please get in touch.
Best wishes
Julianne Marriot
Vice Chair
West Ham Labour party
twitter @westhamlabour
email westhamlabour@gmail.com
web westhamlabour.wordpress.com
(I picked this poster because I overheard a young couple discussing it on the underground recently)
Tuesday, September 07, 2010
I'm 71% for Ed (it's an internet survey so it must be true)
To my surprise Diane did come joint 2nd with 58% score (with a certain David Miliband) and Ed Balls a narrow 4th with 57%.
While Ed Miliband came a clear 1st with 71%!
Andy Burham was not part of this survey since apparently his office did not send in his information in time.
I think this is supported by the Guardian media group?
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
Unite nominates Ed Miliband as Labour Party Leader.
What matters now of course is turning this commitment (and that of UNISON and GMB) to "urge its one million members eligible to vote in the Labour leadership contest to make Ed Miliband their choice for leader of the Labour party" into actual votes.
Ed Miliband has received the endorsement of the "big 3" affiliated trade unions. The press seem here to be trying to make out that there is some sort of smoke filled room deal by so called "union barons" to make Ed the their choice. This is complete rubbish. Now I accept that I have openly supported Ed for a while so what I am about to say could be a bit suspect but I have been pleased at the degree of genuine grass roots support for Ed Miliband amongst trade union activists. The reason is I think because being activists they have either seen him at a hustings, read interviews about him or even checked out his website.
We want someone who has the passion, personality and politics who can change the Party and still defeat Cameron and his CONDEMS. Ed is the best candidate to do this.
What needs to be done is firstly get Ed in front of as many non-activist members as possible - get him talking to them and answering their questions either in person or via our media. Secondly to encourage activists to talk to their members about the election and about Ed. Finally the unions must support turnout and encourage members to vote. Simple endorsements by union national political committees will not be enough.
(picture credit Dan McCurry at the West Ham CLP hustings)
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Ed Balls in Newham - Save Free School Meals
Labour leadership Candidate Ed Balls, visited a Newham School yesterday and he talks above about the threat to free school meals. Hat-tip thingy Labourlist.
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Stephen Timms MP “thank you” Party
Stephen now has the largest majority in the Country but also they wanted to welcome him back after the recent horrific knife attack on him while he was carrying out a Parliamentary surgery 4 weeks ago.
Stephen had been stabbed twice in the stomach but is now walking, moving and talking with no real visible signs of his injuries. He told the packed meeting that he felt much better but could become a little tired. He thanked everyone for all the cards and messages of support – a “tide of good will” and especially his wife and Mum! I filmed most of Stephen’s speech and will upload it to YouTube later.
Stephen had invited as guest speaker Ed Miliband who he is supporting for the Labour Party leadership. Ed gave a cracking speech which I will post upon soon.
UPDATE: now on YouTube here
Saturday, July 14, 2007
Murder not Divorce? – Labour Party and Trade Unions
It was good to see Tony Woodley (T&G Unite Joint General Secretary) take a well deserved swipe at George Monbiot (photo left - as in extreme) in yesterday’s Guardian. Monbiot, otherwise known as “Moonbat”, is the Stowe public school educated son of a deputy Chair of the Tory Party, who had the cheek in an article on Tuesday, to lecture trade unions on “Class” and affiliation to the Labour Party.
He called trade unions “Turkeys led by chickens, they will never stop voting for Christmas”. He also offensively claims that the unions would still support the Labour Party even if it turned itself into a neo-fascist party!
The “evidence” he presents for this accusation appears to be the appointment of Digby Jones by Brown as a minister promoting trade. I think that this is a wrong decision, however, hardly grounds to disaffiliate.
He confusingly accepts that “some important victories have been won since 1997” e.g. minimum wage, better pension protection etc. But he then dismisses them as unimportant because the so-called “list of defeats” is much longer.
I think that the distain that Monbiot has for such an issue as the living wage is important and gives you an understanding of where he is coming from. If you are brought up in a wealthy middle class family then obviously the issue of low pay is not something that you can relate to in any meaningful way. Unlike trade unionists, who do not usually come from privileged backgrounds. They often have first hand experience of how vitally important the minimum wage is for real families and workers, struggling to keep themselves out of poverty. It is interesting that he also completely ignores tax and pension credits. The huge amount of money that Labour has poured into the pockets of poor people in this way means nothing to him. Obviously more needs to be done, but Monbiot is not concerned about these key working class issues.
Equally the incredible financial stability and relatively high employment rates under Labour is also not apparently of any importance. Neither does he mention the huge resources that a Labour government has pumped into the NHS, schools and children’s services. I have been attacked by some over bringing up this real “class” issue. The argument is that you should only debate the policies not the background of the person. I am sorry but I just cannot agree with this proposition. Attacking the personality of a person is usually wrong but I think politics are personal; they are shaped by your family and your background. I am not saying that middle or upper class people cannot comment on trade union issues. Everyone is entitled to their views, however I would recommend that they stick to what they know – which in Monbiot’ s case would appear to be climate change not trade unions.
Tony Woodley also attacked Monbiot for not proposing any alternative to Labour and ducking the question of whether or not a Tory government was a good thing or not. The RMT and the FBU may have been expelled or left the Party. However, at many Labour Party events I have attended during the last few years there has usually been a “lobby” outside by RMT members leafleting or protesting about various things and asking us to bring up this motion or that. What is the point of them being out of the Party but still turning up to Party events asking for things to be done? As Tony put it “you do not win arguments from the outside”.
It is also a fact that within the Labour Party there is a (small?) body of opinion that would love to end the link between the Party and the unions. They would prefer state funding of parties without any pesky trade unionists making problems.
Now, it is not always sweetness and light in the relationship between trade unions and the Labour party, nor should it be. There are major differences over privatisation, trade union and employment rights etc. When you compare these differences to that between the Tories and trade unions then you realise these differences are small. Trade unions recognise the abyss of Tory rule and also I think many would agree with me that, rightly or wrongly, if the Labour Party is seen to be the “creature” of the trade unions then the Party will never be elected or form another government.
He called trade unions “Turkeys led by chickens, they will never stop voting for Christmas”. He also offensively claims that the unions would still support the Labour Party even if it turned itself into a neo-fascist party!
The “evidence” he presents for this accusation appears to be the appointment of Digby Jones by Brown as a minister promoting trade. I think that this is a wrong decision, however, hardly grounds to disaffiliate.
He confusingly accepts that “some important victories have been won since 1997” e.g. minimum wage, better pension protection etc. But he then dismisses them as unimportant because the so-called “list of defeats” is much longer.
I think that the distain that Monbiot has for such an issue as the living wage is important and gives you an understanding of where he is coming from. If you are brought up in a wealthy middle class family then obviously the issue of low pay is not something that you can relate to in any meaningful way. Unlike trade unionists, who do not usually come from privileged backgrounds. They often have first hand experience of how vitally important the minimum wage is for real families and workers, struggling to keep themselves out of poverty. It is interesting that he also completely ignores tax and pension credits. The huge amount of money that Labour has poured into the pockets of poor people in this way means nothing to him. Obviously more needs to be done, but Monbiot is not concerned about these key working class issues.
Equally the incredible financial stability and relatively high employment rates under Labour is also not apparently of any importance. Neither does he mention the huge resources that a Labour government has pumped into the NHS, schools and children’s services. I have been attacked by some over bringing up this real “class” issue. The argument is that you should only debate the policies not the background of the person. I am sorry but I just cannot agree with this proposition. Attacking the personality of a person is usually wrong but I think politics are personal; they are shaped by your family and your background. I am not saying that middle or upper class people cannot comment on trade union issues. Everyone is entitled to their views, however I would recommend that they stick to what they know – which in Monbiot’ s case would appear to be climate change not trade unions.
Tony Woodley also attacked Monbiot for not proposing any alternative to Labour and ducking the question of whether or not a Tory government was a good thing or not. The RMT and the FBU may have been expelled or left the Party. However, at many Labour Party events I have attended during the last few years there has usually been a “lobby” outside by RMT members leafleting or protesting about various things and asking us to bring up this motion or that. What is the point of them being out of the Party but still turning up to Party events asking for things to be done? As Tony put it “you do not win arguments from the outside”.
It is also a fact that within the Labour Party there is a (small?) body of opinion that would love to end the link between the Party and the unions. They would prefer state funding of parties without any pesky trade unionists making problems.
Now, it is not always sweetness and light in the relationship between trade unions and the Labour party, nor should it be. There are major differences over privatisation, trade union and employment rights etc. When you compare these differences to that between the Tories and trade unions then you realise these differences are small. Trade unions recognise the abyss of Tory rule and also I think many would agree with me that, rightly or wrongly, if the Labour Party is seen to be the “creature” of the trade unions then the Party will never be elected or form another government.
Finally, as Jack Jones, the great leader of the Transport and General Workers' Union said in 1971 when asked to sum up the relationship between unions and the Labour party: He replied that he could imagine "Murder yes, divorce never."
Sunday, June 10, 2007
A Warm East End Welcome for Alan Johnson
What could be more “East End” and welcoming than a curry in a restaurant off Brick Lane. Local Labour Party and trade union activists in Tower Hamlets, Newham, Waltham Forest and Hackney have organised a reception for Alan at the "Sonargaon Restaurant", 32-38 Osborn Road, E1 (leading into Brick Lane) nearest tube Aldgate East (5 minutes) 7-8pm Wednesday 13 June 2007. Alan will give a short presentation at 7pm, and then he wants to talk to trade unionists and Labour Party members about his campaign and his vision for the future. Finish about 8pm. Food and soft drinks. Sponsored by London UNISON Labour Link.
Labour Party members and affiliated trade Union levy payers only.
Thursday, June 07, 2007
Trade Union Hustings in Congress House
Post on the Trade Unions for Labour (TULO) Hustings held last night in the TUC Headquarters in Congress House last month. Picture is of UNISON Labour Link member Rachel Voller (local Nurse) and Alan Johnson. The main hall was packed. Extra chairs had to be bought in. Brown comes in, lots of clapping, he “works” the front row very well shaking hands and looking very relaxed and confident. He then knocks a microphone off the stage. Recovers well, and starts talking to the audience. A few bits and pieces about his performance.
He talked about “social justice” and “progressive politics”; he mentioned how as a young man the NHS had prevented him from going totally blind. How he was only able to go to university thanks to the Labour Party. The 2.5 million jobs created by Labour during the last 10 years. He thanked the trade union movement for creating the Labour Party 100 years ago, for the NHS, for the minimum wage. He kept referring to the “Labour Movement”.
Gordon left and the 6 candidates then came in, the meeting was chaired by the editor of the New Statesman (John Kampfner?). It was much more formal and tense than the hustings we had in West Ham. Each candidate had only 2 minutes for a speech.
Hilary Benn gave a good speech. He kept reminding me of his Dad, who by co-incidence I had seen in the same hall, same spot, giving a speech on Saturday. He (HB) has an effective “tell it as it is” style.
Hazel gave her usual combative “campaigner-in-chief” speech; attacking Cameron for saying he “understands” what it is like for couples to pay a mortgage when he actually lives in a £1.25million house which was bought for cash.
Alan (I declare an interest) talked about how he was inspired by the trade union movement, but not usually at branch meetings (laughter). He rightly (and bravely) reminded the audience that the movement had made mistake in the past such as opposition to the minimum wage. They repeatedly rejected NUPE (now UNISON) motions at TUC for such a policy. The argument that “rights at work came with your union card” often failed the low paid and the vulnerable at work. Alan also called for a change in the “cultural of betrayal”. Trade union leaders who publicly attack the Labour Party all the time then suddenly 6 weeks before an general election (when realise what would happen if the Tories get in) call for their members to vote Labour, must realise that this damages not only the Party but also the union. He finished by saying Cameron is not the new Blair but the new Kinnock.
Peter concentrated on his anti-racist work and the success in Northern Ireland. He gave a powerful attack on excessive city bonuses.
Jon was interesting. He appeared to be the most intense. The Party needs to change. Lost 200,000 members in 10 years. Need to link the Party with the Government. Need to change policy, improve trade union rights, protect employees, build homes and apologise (but not pull out immediately) for Iraq. Funny enough his body language reminded me of Brown. Waving his finger to make a point and keeping the other arm tightly by his side.
Harriet wanted a powerful and democratic Party. Referred to her trade union credentials and her track record of building her local party to 700 members (not bad).
In the Q&A: Jon was "on the attack" over the “failure” of the government to support the private members bill on employment rights for agency workers. Alan supported the right of 2 or 3 star Councils to build homes (all candidates supported the 4th option!). Alan pointed out that the Councils must not repeat the mistakes of the past. He lived with 3 of kids on a “soulless council estate in south London”. Hilary described the housing shortage and affordability as a “ticking time bomb”. Harriet described the decision to go to war over Iraq as a mistake, abet one made in good faith. Peter said that we need to reconcile the British people over Iraq. Hilary said he didn’t regret the decision, and that we had to support a fragile democracy (to applause).
I still think that Alan Johnson should be deputy leader. He will complement Brown as well as act as a brake, if necessary. Which I hope will be good for the Party as well as the country. He is clearly someone who will speak his mind. His leaflet describes him as “Old” and “New Labour”. However, with his trade union and Labour Party background he could also be someone who could help modernise the wider Labour movement. This, if we were all honest, needs to be done.
Gordon left and the 6 candidates then came in, the meeting was chaired by the editor of the New Statesman (John Kampfner?). It was much more formal and tense than the hustings we had in West Ham. Each candidate had only 2 minutes for a speech.
Hilary Benn gave a good speech. He kept reminding me of his Dad, who by co-incidence I had seen in the same hall, same spot, giving a speech on Saturday. He (HB) has an effective “tell it as it is” style.
Hazel gave her usual combative “campaigner-in-chief” speech; attacking Cameron for saying he “understands” what it is like for couples to pay a mortgage when he actually lives in a £1.25million house which was bought for cash.
Alan (I declare an interest) talked about how he was inspired by the trade union movement, but not usually at branch meetings (laughter). He rightly (and bravely) reminded the audience that the movement had made mistake in the past such as opposition to the minimum wage. They repeatedly rejected NUPE (now UNISON) motions at TUC for such a policy. The argument that “rights at work came with your union card” often failed the low paid and the vulnerable at work. Alan also called for a change in the “cultural of betrayal”. Trade union leaders who publicly attack the Labour Party all the time then suddenly 6 weeks before an general election (when realise what would happen if the Tories get in) call for their members to vote Labour, must realise that this damages not only the Party but also the union. He finished by saying Cameron is not the new Blair but the new Kinnock.
Peter concentrated on his anti-racist work and the success in Northern Ireland. He gave a powerful attack on excessive city bonuses.
Jon was interesting. He appeared to be the most intense. The Party needs to change. Lost 200,000 members in 10 years. Need to link the Party with the Government. Need to change policy, improve trade union rights, protect employees, build homes and apologise (but not pull out immediately) for Iraq. Funny enough his body language reminded me of Brown. Waving his finger to make a point and keeping the other arm tightly by his side.
Harriet wanted a powerful and democratic Party. Referred to her trade union credentials and her track record of building her local party to 700 members (not bad).
In the Q&A: Jon was "on the attack" over the “failure” of the government to support the private members bill on employment rights for agency workers. Alan supported the right of 2 or 3 star Councils to build homes (all candidates supported the 4th option!). Alan pointed out that the Councils must not repeat the mistakes of the past. He lived with 3 of kids on a “soulless council estate in south London”. Hilary described the housing shortage and affordability as a “ticking time bomb”. Harriet described the decision to go to war over Iraq as a mistake, abet one made in good faith. Peter said that we need to reconcile the British people over Iraq. Hilary said he didn’t regret the decision, and that we had to support a fragile democracy (to applause).
I still think that Alan Johnson should be deputy leader. He will complement Brown as well as act as a brake, if necessary. Which I hope will be good for the Party as well as the country. He is clearly someone who will speak his mind. His leaflet describes him as “Old” and “New Labour”. However, with his trade union and Labour Party background he could also be someone who could help modernise the wider Labour movement. This, if we were all honest, needs to be done.
Thursday, May 31, 2007
UNISON Labour Link endorse Brown & Johnson
UNISON Labour Link National Committee have voted unanimously to make a supporting nomination for Gordon Brown as Leader.
Alan Johnson was nominated as Deputy Leader (Peter Hain to have 2nd preference).
This is a recommendation (all levy payers will have a postal vote). Will post some thoughts later.
Excellent news for UNISON and the Labour Party.
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Salford, Stratford and Bow Belles: Deputy Leadership Meetings
Excuse the probably sexist pun – Tonight there was the second event organised by West Ham CLP (sponsored by London UNISON Labour Link) in Stratford to meet Deputy Leadership candidates. Last Wednesday we had Hilary, Jon and Harriet. Tonight it was the turn of Alan, Peter and Hazel. First picture is of Hazel with local MP Lyn Brown MP and Rushanara Ali, the new Labour Prospective Parliamentary candidate for Bethnal Green & Bow (to take on Galloway’s) Again, I was acting as a steward (and self appointed CLP photographer), so I only picked up bits and pieces.
Each candidate had 10 minutes followed by a Q&A. Peter was “proud” to have sent his children to a comprehensive in the middle of a South London Council estate. He spoke about his background in the anti apartheid movement and his recent work promoting peace in Northern Ireland. He pointed out that all the candidates had voted in favour of the War in Iraq.
Alan, the only candidate to have left school at 15, he said that the Labour Party was only able achieve things (minimum wage) since it had stopped being losers and started wining general elections. He wanted the 21 century to be one dominated by the progressive left, not as was the case in the 20 century, the regressive right. Controversially, in response to a question, he was the only candidate to indicate that we should consider some type of “amnesty” for illegal migrants while the others were opposed. He recognised that there were difficulties (encouraging further illegal immigration etc) but he thought it was a trade union principle. Peter thought if we adopted this we could lose an election on this point alone.
Hazel started off by saying this is the first hustings she had been to that she had been given a “lollypop” (courtesy of UNISON). Her main thrust was she wanted to be an organising and campaigning deputy leader. Labour will only win the next election through “discipline, unity and loyalty”. If Cameron and the Tories win they will cut through vulnerable people like a knife through butter. She was firmly in favour of Academies which she said had transformed a school in one of the toughest wards in her constituency.
I did note that all the candidates supported (to a lesser or greater degree) Councils being allowed to build social housing. Alan was probably the most enthusiastic. They all stressed their trade union backgrounds. They left at 9.15pm to rush to the “Newsnight” Deputy Leadership live debate. We then had a raffle (tickets picked by Rushanara). After packing and clearing up we then ended up in the pub “The Goose” in Stratford.
Each candidate had 10 minutes followed by a Q&A. Peter was “proud” to have sent his children to a comprehensive in the middle of a South London Council estate. He spoke about his background in the anti apartheid movement and his recent work promoting peace in Northern Ireland. He pointed out that all the candidates had voted in favour of the War in Iraq.
Alan, the only candidate to have left school at 15, he said that the Labour Party was only able achieve things (minimum wage) since it had stopped being losers and started wining general elections. He wanted the 21 century to be one dominated by the progressive left, not as was the case in the 20 century, the regressive right. Controversially, in response to a question, he was the only candidate to indicate that we should consider some type of “amnesty” for illegal migrants while the others were opposed. He recognised that there were difficulties (encouraging further illegal immigration etc) but he thought it was a trade union principle. Peter thought if we adopted this we could lose an election on this point alone.
Hazel started off by saying this is the first hustings she had been to that she had been given a “lollypop” (courtesy of UNISON). Her main thrust was she wanted to be an organising and campaigning deputy leader. Labour will only win the next election through “discipline, unity and loyalty”. If Cameron and the Tories win they will cut through vulnerable people like a knife through butter. She was firmly in favour of Academies which she said had transformed a school in one of the toughest wards in her constituency.
I did note that all the candidates supported (to a lesser or greater degree) Councils being allowed to build social housing. Alan was probably the most enthusiastic. They all stressed their trade union backgrounds. They left at 9.15pm to rush to the “Newsnight” Deputy Leadership live debate. We then had a raffle (tickets picked by Rushanara). After packing and clearing up we then ended up in the pub “The Goose” in Stratford.
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Leadership Elections: The Story So Far?
Interesting results so far. It appears that McDonnell (I’m going to try to be as objective as possible – probably not successfully) is struggling to get 45 nominations. Which I find fascinating. If the “Hard-ish Left” cannot even get 12.5% of PLP nominations (and I think that each MP can actually nominate up to 3 candidates) then I think we may be seeing something momentous happening. This could be Blair’s lasting legacy to the Party?
Still, wait and see. Perhaps he is holding back support to build up media interest? (Surely no politician could be so naive?). I must admit that I don’t see many of the “usual suspects” missing from the list of his declared supporters who actually filled out and returned nomination forms.
Personally I would have loved there to have been a real contest for the Leadership. Peter Hain would have made a convincing opponent to Gordon Brown. A conviction Blairite could also have posed a real, meaningful challenge. McDonnell would be better than nothing. But, assuming he manages to get enough nominations to stand. It is clear (to me anyway) that there he has no widespread support and the “Hard Left” is completely marginalised in the Party. MP’s would not dare to ignore their CLP’s or trade union affiliates if they felt that there was any significant support for McDonnell.
So, in one way it would be pointless to have a “contest for the stake of a contest”, since the real test of Labour Party opinion will not happen because Brown is not facing a mainstream “left” or “right” challenge.
So Hazel, Peter, Harriet and Alan have enough nominations. I assume that Jon will get one more nomination? Maybe the debate about the future direction of the Party will take place in the deputy leadership election?
UNISON National Labour Link committee meet tomorrow to decide on who (or if) to recommend to members. UNISON has made it clear that no-one but this committee will make recommendations on behalf of “Labour Link”. There is no trade union “block” vote and UNISON levy payers will have a secret ballot to vote for candidates.
However, the unions will be influential. The sensible announcement that UNISON and GMB (together they have in membership about a third of the 3.3 million trade unionists who will have a vote!) are working together to “maximise” influence over the leadership elections also seems to me to be another indication that we might be on the road to merger.
Nominations update - 6pm Tuesday 15 May (From Labour Party website).
Candidates for the leadership and deputy leadership of the Labour Party have received the following number of nominations as of 6pm on Tuesday 15 May.
Candidates for Leader of the Labour Party
Gordon Brown
282 nominations
John McDonnell
27 nominations
Candidates for Deputy Leader of the Labour Party
Hilary Benn
34 nominations
Hazel Blears
48 nominations
Jon Cruddas
44 nominations
Peter Hain
49 nominations
Harriet Harman
60 nominations
Alan Johnson
64 nominations
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