Two unions nominate Ed Miliband

By Mark Ferguson / @markfergusonuk

Update: Ed has also been nominated by the smaller UCATT union.

Update: Ed Miliband has responded to news of the GMB nomination, saying that he is “honoured” and “grateful” for their support. Ed said:

“I am very grateful, and feel deeply honoured to have received the backing of the GMB – they are one of Britain’s most important trade unions.”

“The GMB represents 700 000 members in the UK and works hard to secure a fair deal at work for all of them. I am very grateful that they have put their trust in me to stand up for their members and to put our shared values at the heart of everything that Labour does in opposition and then back in government.”

“We will win the next General Election, not in spite of our Labour values, but because of them. When we are bold and set out a clear direction, I know that the people of Britain support us in fighting for a more just, prosperous and equal country.”

One of the largest and most influential unions in the country today swung their support behind Ed Miliband in a significant boost to his campaign. Although several unions have supported candidates already, the GMB endorsement is the biggest to date – and should go some way to helping the Ed campaign financially, if not necessarily guaranteeing the votes of their members in the final ballot.