Jeremy is Unite’s choice

Unite’s executive council has yesterday (Sunday July 5) voted to back Labour’s left candidate Jeremy Corbyn for leader of the party.

 

The decision follows a multi-union hustings held on June 30 and consultation with Unite members’ elected representatives across the union.

 

Unite’s decision for backing Jeremy Corbyn is in recognition that his policies fit best with those of the union.

Mr Corbyn told the Press Association, “It is a great honour to receive Unite’s nomination, and it underlines that this a serious campaign that has growing momentum.

“The leadership election is about one issue above others: whether we accept another five years of a race to the bottom based on cuts that destroy services and damage living standards, or whether we invest our way to a growth and fairness.”

He continued, “Trade union members are the men and women whose money worries and anxiety for the prospects of their children, are now the every day reality of these Tory austerity years. The whole of trades union history has been based on protecting people from austerity.

“Without trade unions there would be no equal pay-act, no minimum pay, no Labour Party. Trade unions are a force for good, a force for prosperity and we should listen to them more.

“For Labour to win again it must show it is on the side of the majority.”

The executive council also voted to back Andy Burnham as the second preference candidate.

Unite is not making a nomination for the position of deputy leader but a recommendation will be made to members that they support Tom Watson and Angela Eagle to reflect the strong support for these candidates by using their first and second preferences as they see fit.

 

 

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