CWU and TSSA announce they’re backing Jeremy Corbyn to be Labour’s next leader

Update: TSSA, the transport union, have also announced that they’re endorsing Corbyn to be leader, with Burnham as second preference, and Eagle as deputy leader, with Watson as second preference. Their full statement is below.

CWU has announced that they are backing Jeremy Corbyn to be Labour’s next leader.

The union represents workers in the postal and telecoms sector. Dave Ward, CWU’s general secretary, released a video (which you can see below) explaining their decision.

CWU will be also recommend members vote for Andy Burnham as their second preference. In the Deputy Leadership Election they are recommending that members vote for Angela Eagle as first preference and to vote Caroline Flint as their second preference.

Ward has said:

“I am delighted to announce that the CWU will be backing Jeremy Corbyn MP to be the next leader of the Labour Party.

“There are no quick fixes for the Labour party, but there are some easy decisions and choosing Jeremy as its leader should be one of them.

“We think that it is time for a change for Labour. The grip of the Blairites and individuals like Peter Mandelson must now be loosened once and for all. There is a virus within the Labour Party and Jeremy Corbyn is the antidote.

“We reject the notion that Labour needs to move to the centre ground of British politics. The Centre ground has moved significantly to the right in recent years. We do not see arguing for fairer wealth distribution, decent jobs with good pay, terms and conditions and a substantial increase in affordable housing for the next generation as a left wing agenda.

“Jeremy agrees with the vast amount of CWU policy, ranging from opposing the selling off of Royal Mail, to offering a real alternative to austerity, and repealing anti-trade union laws.

Meanwhile, TSSA’s leader Manuel Cortes released the following statement:

“We are delighted that our union is backing Jeremy for Labour Party leader and Angela as Deputy. People are fed of machine politicians who never give an answer. Jeremy is straight talking and puts forward sensible policies which resonate with ordinary people.

“Jeremy is clearly articulating why we must end the austerity quagmire and that Labour’s economic policies must move on from failed neoliberalism. He and Angela also support bringing our railways back into public ownership. That is why I will be strongly urging our members to vote for Jeremy for leader and Angela for deputy”.

This comes one day after Unison also threw their weight behind Corbyn, with Cooper as second preference. Earlier this month Unite – the country’s biggest union – also announced that they would be supporting Corbyn’s bid for leader.

Here’s the video from CWU: