NO MORE BLANK CHEQUES
Blow to Labour as Unite leadership hopeful says ‘those days are over’
A CANDIDATE for the leadership of Britain’s biggest union has told Sir Keir Starmer there will be “no more blank cheques” for Labour.
In an exclusive interview, Sharon Graham said Unite had been too busy with internal debates within Labour – and that the idea the party offered solutions for workers was “a fantasy”.
It would be a hammer blow to Labour if Unite cut donations.
Between January and March this year alone the union gave £131,000.
For the same period in 2020, 2019 and 2018, donations hovered around the £500,000 mark each time.
Unite represents 1.4million workers and also handed Labour £3million for its 2019 election war chest – only for Jeremy Corbyn’s party to flop.
Ms Graham said that if she wins she is prepared to work with Sir Keir but will focus more on Unite’s members.
That means making a clean break from the stance of outgoing General Secretary Len McCluskey, who was a key backer of Mr Corbyn.
Ms Graham said: “I’ll get on with my job, he [Sir Keir] can get on with his and there won’t be any problem. But days of blank cheques are over.
“The union has been obsessed with Labour and its internal struggles.
“But the Parliamentary Labour Party never won a pay rise for workers, demanded strike action or defended a rep whose job is under threat.
“Thinking they are a solution has been a fantasy. We want to build the power of the union and use that to force change.”
Ms Graham is up against Steve Turner and Gerard Coyne.
Insiders say the race is “too close to call” and Mr Coyne is confident his rivals will split the left-wing vote – letting him in.
Ms Graham has won nominations from 349 branches, some in key areas Scotland and the East Midlands.
She tells how she has been the target of dirty tricks – and of being offered “a deal” curbing her power if elected.
She said: “The level of smears and lies has been unprecedented. There are things like me being mocked up as Margaret Thatcher. My father’s family were miners, one... broke his back in the mines. So pictures like that are not just upsetting, they’re an insult.”
Of a “power share” offer – not from her two rivals – she added: “This is another example of jobs for the boys.
“Just a total carve-up. We’re supposed to be talking about equality and developing more female leaders. “I don’t think they realise the irony.” Ms Graham has pledged to address women’s rights, adding: “I want to make sure women get a fair deal.”