Unite back Jeremy Corbyn to be Labour leader – with Andy Burnham as second preference

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

The union, one of the biggest in the country, have come to this decision following a debate of the union’s executive committee (which is made an elected body of 63 men and women from workplaces across the UK). This comes after a multi-union hustings on June 30th and consultation with members’ elected representatives from across the union.

The union will tell members that the executive council voted to back Andy Burnham as the second preference candidate.

They explained that they were backing Corbyn because his policies were most closely aligned with theirs.

Corbyn has welcome this, saying

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.

“I also want to thank other unions who have nominated me – ASLEF and the BFAWU – and for the endorsement of two unions not affiliated to Labour, the FBU and the RMT.  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 trade 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.

“I thank Unite for their nomination, not just for myself but for all those people who have already brought their time, efforts and hope to my campaign.”

The union announced that they would not nominate anyone for the position of deputy but will recommend that members support Tom Watson and Angela Eagle, using their first and second preferences however they see fit.