Unison back Jeremy Corbyn to be Labour leader

Unison have announced that they will be backing Jeremy Corbyn for the Labour leadership.

The union has nearly 1.3million members. It has said that this is just a recommendation and that individual union members who sign up to vote as should vote for whichever candidate that think is best. They have said that Yvette Cooper is their second choice. Andy Burnham and Liz Kendall are also in the running to be Labour’s next leader.

Unison General Secretary Dave Prentis explained the union’s decision:

“Jeremy Corbyn’s message has resonated with public sector workers who have suffered years of pay freezes, redundancies with too many having to work more for less.

“They have been penalised for too long by a Government that keeps on taking more and more from them. Their choice shows a clear need for change towards a fairer society where work is fairly rewarded, and where those living and working in poverty supported.”

“Today’s decision is a recommendation and our members are of course free to cast their vote as to who they think should lead the Labour Party.”

Earlier this month Unite said they would be backing Corbyn, and said that Andy Burnham is their second preference.

Update: Unison has also said it is backing Angela Eagle in the deputy leader contest, with Stella Creasy as second choice.