One of UK’s largest trade unions has described Labour leadership hopeful Jeremy Corbyn as a cure to Labour’s “blairite virus”
THE Communication Workers Union (CWU) has hailed Jeremy Corbyn’s Labour leadership bid in the hope of loosening the grip of the centre-right in the party
This development follows the two largest trade unions in the UK, Unite with 1.4 million members and Unison with 1.3 million members, backing Corbyn. Eight trade unions have thus far supported Corbyn in his bid to become Labour leader. Two of these, the RMT and TSSA, are not affiliated to the Labour Party.
General secretary of TSSA, Manuel Cortes, stated: “Jeremy is straight-talking and puts forward sensible policies which resonate with ordinary people. Jeremy is clearly articulating why we must end the austerity quagmire and that Labour’s economic policies must move on from failed neoliberalism.”
The CWU said that Corbyn agrees with the vast majority of its policies, from offering alternatives to the current mandate of austerity measures and the repealing of anti-worker legislation, to challenging the privatisation of the Royal Mail.
Dave Ward, General secretary of the CWU, was quoted in Russia Today , stating:”I am delighted to announce that the CWU will be backing Jeremy Corbyn MP to be the next leader of the Labour Party. There are no quick fixes for the Labour Party, but there are some easy decisions and choosing Jeremy as its leader should be one of them.
“We think that it is time for a change for Labour. The grip of the Blairites and individuals like Peter Mandelson must now be loosened once and for all. There is a virus within the Labour Party and Jeremy Corbyn is the antidote,” he added.
“The centre ground has moved significantly to the right in recent years. We do not see arguing for fairer wealth distribution, decent jobs with good pay, terms and conditions and a substantial increase in affordable housing for the next generation as a left-wing agenda.”
Trade unions are not the only groups advocating their support for the veteran socialist. Several grassroots organisations and networks, from UK Uncut and Disabled People Against Cuts to Fuel Poverty Action, are among the latest to publicly back Corbyn.
Senior figures within Labour now confess that, despite entering the race as an outsider, there is a real possibility that the veteran socialist may be victorious.
Picture courtesy of Chris Beckett