Burnham backs Co-op Party’s Joe Fortune as Labour’s next general secretary

Andy Burnham is understood to favour Joe Fortune to replace Hollie Ridley as Labour’s next general secretary.

It had been reported last week that Claire Reynolds, the party’s executive director of stakeholder relations and former aide to Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, was the ‘favourite’ to become the party’s next general secretary, after Hollie Ridley announced she would stand down in the autumn.

However, LabourList understands that the Labour leader and Prime Minister has a preference for Joe Fortune – the current general secretary of the Co-operative Party.

Should Fortune be chosen, it would mean three of the top positions within the Labour Party – the leadership, deputy leadership and role of general secretary – would be filled by members of Labour’s sister party.

Fortune, 44, has been involved with the Co-operative Party for almost two decades – serving as its general secretary for almost a decade, and was previously an executive member of SERA – Labour’s environmentally-focused socialist society. He has also been described as an “actual giant of the labour movement”, on account of his 6’ 5” height. 

A senior Labour source said: “With deep roots in the Labour and trade union movement, broad support across the party and a proven ability to bring people together, Joe Fortune is exceptionally well-placed to deliver Andy Burnham’s vision of cultural change and ‘one Labour Party’ – and building on the strong foundations left by Hollie Ridley – ready to fight and win elections for Labour across the country.

“As general secretary of the Co-operative Party, with almost two decades of experience in the movement, Joe has delivered remarkable growth in its income, membership and parliamentary representation.”

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Labour’s National Executive Committee will make a final decision via a secret ballot vote as to who will serve as general secretary, with delegates at party conference set to ‘rubber-stamp’ the decision.

A source close to Joe Fortune said: “Joe is a proven and effective leader, respected and liked across the labour movement, with a decade’s experience running a political party under his belt.

“His leadership has transformed the Co-operative Party, with increased membership and more political influence than ever before.

“He has the vision, drive and experience to do the same at the Labour Party, and ensure it becomes the election-winning force we need.”

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