Third union backs Sir Keir’s bid to become Labour leader
SHADOW BREXIT Secretary Sir Keir Starmer has gained more union backing for his bid to become Labour Party leader.
The early front-runner for the top job has been endorsed by the Community union. The organisation also backed Shadow Education Secretary Angela Rayner for the post of deputy leader.
Community general secretary Roy Rickhuss said of Sir Keir: “His experience and vision are what the Labour Party needs to rebuild, win back the trust of voters, and lead a transformative Labour government.” Referring to Ms Rayner, Mr Rickhuss said: “We believe she will help unite our fractured party, reinvigorate the Labour movement, and lead us into government.”
The union also urged its members in constituency Labour parties (CLPs) to help ensure that Labour’s only MP in Scotland, Ian Murray, makes the final ballot for the deputy post.
Candidates are required to have won the nomination of three Labour affiliates, including at least two unions, which amount to at least five per cent of affiliate members.
The only other route on to the ballot is by receiving nominations from at least five per cent of CLPs.
Both Unison and Usdaw have already given Sir Keir their backing in the race to replace outgoing leader Jeremy Corbyn in April.
The latest union endorsement
People are crying out for more control over their own lives.
Sir Keir Starmer, front-runner to become the next Labour Party leader. came as Sir Keir was calling for a radical redistribution of power, wealth and opportunity as he returned to the Labour leadership campaign trail.
The Shadow Brexit Secretary was forced to cancel events when his mother-in-law was admitted to hospital following an accident last week. Resuming campaigning yesterday, he warned that urgent change is necessary to ward off a risk of the break-up of the United Kingdom after the UK leaves the EU.
He gave a speech in east London arguing for a federal system in which power and resources are devolved. Sir Keir called for the end of the status quo, and said that power, wealth and opportunity should be “put back into the hands of the people”.
The Holborn and St Pancras MP will travel to Scotland, England and Wales in the coming days.
Sir Keir said: “The status quo is not working. People are crying out for more control, power and say over their own lives and local communities. This can’t be delivered by tinkering around the edges or with short-term fixes.”