Jeremy Corbyn nominated by UNISON Labour Link Committee

This lunchtime I attended a meeting of the UNISON Labour Link (also known as the "APF") National Committee at our headquarters in Euston.

The meeting was to decide whether or not to make a supportive nomination for the next leader of the Labour party and if so, would it be for Jeremy Corbyn or Owen Smith.

I was there as one of the UNISON National Executive Committee representatives.

UNISON had carried out a consultation of 200,000 Labour Link fund members we had email addresses (out of a total of 400,000) and a clear majority had wanted the union to make a nomination and 58% wanted that nomination to go for Jeremy Corbyn.

There was also a clear majority across all regions in UNISON (London was 62%)

The meeting took reports from National officers, the General Secretary, our Labour Party NEC members and UNISON regional delegates.  We agreed to support Jeremy (again) as the Leader of the Labour Party. 

I think that this decision accurately reflects the views of UNISON Labour Link members (and probably the 900,000 non Labour Party affiliate members, who mostly vote Labour).

I was really pleased that the UNISON press statement (see below) announcing the decision made it so clear that the Party must stop the current nasty and destructive infighting and must unite to fight the real common enemy - which is the Tories!

"The committee decision follows discussions at regional and national level, and a consultation of UNISON members who are affiliated to the Labour party. The consultation was carried out online.
UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis said:

“Jeremy Corbyn retains the backing of a majority of UNISON’s Labour supporting members. That’s why the committee supported his nomination again.

“However, a significant minority backed Owen Smith. Their views will always be respected in our union- that’s our proud tradition.

“It’s healthy for people to hold alternative views on the future direction of the party. What’s toxic though is for abuse, threats and aggressive language to be considered acceptable- or the norm. Labour is in danger of becoming the new ‘nasty party’ if this behaviour continues unchecked. There’s no place in the party for witch hunts against MPs, councillors and party staff.

“The decent hard-working people we represent don’t want a party riven by infighting. They want a united opposition that stands up for public services which are facing intolerable pressures.”

Around 30,000 UNISON members are registered as Affiliated Supporters of the Labour Party and eligible to vote based on their personal choices in the election".

 

“Last chance to give your views on UNISON's Labour nomination”

I am sending this out (hopefully) today to the 1000 members of my branch who are members of the Labour Party supporting affiliated fund.

"Support Jeremy Corbyn, Owen Smith or make no nomination?

Dear Labour Link (APF members). 

You should all by now have received an email from our General Secretary, Dave Prentis, asking you to take part on our consultation about the future Labour Party Leadership. If you have not voted yet please do as soon as possible. The consultation will finish this Monday 8 August.

This is a really important election for UNISON and the Country. Please make sure that you let National Labour Link Committee know your views.

Yours faithfully

John Gray

Branch Labour Link officer and National Committee member

Check out further information on the UNISON website https://www.unison.org.uk/about/our-organisation/political-affiliations-and-support/labour-link/labour-leadership-elections-2016/

UNISON Consultation on Labour Party Leadership contest

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). Your chance to vote in the Labour Leadership election  |    Send to a friend   |    View in a browser

Labour Leadership 2016 26 July 2016

The UNISON Labour Link committee has a decision to make and wants to hear your views UNISON membership number:###### Dear John, As you may be aware, the Labour Party is running a leadership election. In early August, the UNISON Labour Link committee will be meeting to discuss their nomination.  In past leadership elections they have made a nomination, looking at which candidate most closely reflects the policy priorities for UNISON members and our public services and who has the ability to lead the Labour Party to election success and into Government so that our agenda can be put into practice. To help the Labour Link committee decide whether to nominate and who to nominate, they are canvassing views from all UNISON members opted into the UNISON Affiliated Political Fund. What would you prefer the UNISON Labour Link committee do? Nominate a candidate for the Labour leadership Don't nominate any candidate as members can use their own vote Please click one of the buttons above to indicate whether you think they should nominate a candidate. A follow-on question will ask you who they should nominate, if they decide to make a nomination. Your response is anonymous (to avoid chasing people who have already voted, we will be able to see who has voted but not how). Whatever the committee's decision, the election will be one-member-one-vote, so it will be individuals like you that decide which of the two candidates is elected. I realise that this is a period of great uncertainty in politics and in the country. Please be assured that whatever the decision of the Labour Party, and whoever is in power, I and UNISON will continue to support the hard-working people in our public services. Kind regards Dave Prentis UNISON general secretary

More information Can you vote in the Labour Leadership election? To be eligible to vote you need to be a UNISON member before 12 January 2016. You also have to register as an affiliated supporter of the Labour Party. You can register quickly and easily if you participate in this consultation by clicking one of the two big purple buttons above – or by using our online Labour Leadership election self-service tool. Check your registration status Why are you receiving this email? To take part in political activity, unions are required to maintain a political fund. At UNISON, a small proportion of your subscription (3%-6.5%) can go either into the Affiliated Political Fund (Labour Link), the General Political Fund (GPF), both, or neither. You don't pay any extra to be in either of the political funds, it's just your say over how that portion of subscription is allocated. Our records indicate you pay to the Affiliated Political Fund (Labour Link). Labour Link works directly within the Labour Party to take UNISON’s policies into the heart of the party. If you wish to change how your subscriptions are allocated, you can download and complete a form to  transfer to the General Political Fund, contribute to both funds, or contribute to neither. More information on the political funds