UNITE demands mandatory reselection of MPs
Members of UNITE, which is Britain’s biggest trade union, have voted strongly in support of mandatory re-selection for Labour MPs. Delegates at the union’s policy conference carried a motion which called for party members to have the right to “select candidates that reflect their views”.
The vote also criticised ‘right-wing Labour MPs’ for apparently working with the media to ‘destabilise’ Corbyn. Unite members meeting in Brighton – who earlier today applauded John McDonnell’s defence of Corbyn – approved a motion which championed anti-austerity policies and highlighted the Labour leader’s ‘overwhelming mandate’ from party members.
A Unite spokesman explained: ‘This vote today simply reflects the immense frustration that our members feel. They look at the conduct of some within the party, the challenge to the elected leader and they feel angered. They want Labour fighting the Tories, not among themselves.’ The full text of the motion passed at Unite conference reads: