Labour Leadership Election

Labour Leadership ElectionSince the result to leave the European Union was announced, and some may say before the result the Labour Party has been what only can be described as being in crises, we have seen the Parliamentary Labour Party (PLP) try to oust Jeremy Corbyn as leader of the party, we have seen a number of the shadow cabinet resign and those who have been offered a place in the cabinet refuse.

Angela Eagle and Owen Smith both launched leadership bids to oust Corbyn, Angela Eagle failed to get sufficient support from MP’s so she pulled out of the race leaving Owen Smith the only challenger,

We have seen 5 new members of the party take Labours National Executive Committee to the high court, to contest its decision to stop 100,000 new members who have joined the party since the referendum, but who signed up after Tuesday, January 12, not being eligible to vote in the leadership election, following the hearing the high court ruled in favour of the new members. You would have thought this would be the end of the saga, but the NEC appealed the decision and won.
Which unions have backed Corbyn or Smith in the Labour leadership contest
Most of the major trade unions have now named their preferred winner in the Labour leadership contest. The CWU have once again shown support for Jeremy Corbyn, this was announced at a National Political briefing and press conference on Monday 1st August.

Below is a run-down of Trade Union endorsements, alongside their 2015 nominations.

The RMT and the Prison Officers’ Association, which are not affiliated to Labour, both supported Corbyn last year. The RMT has backed Corbyn again this year along with the POA. The FBU affiliated to Labour in November last year, meaning it did not have a formal link with the party when it made its nomination last summer.

Constituency Labour Party’s (CLP’s)

Jeremy Corbyn has secured the backing of almost 300 Constituency Labour Parties (CLPs), in the latest sign that the favourite remains in pole position to be re-elected leader next month.

Supporting nominations closed in the leadership contest on 15th August, with 285 CLPs giving their support to Corbyn, and 53 going to Owen Smith. Corbyn. These nominations will not affect the final result by themselves, but in the past have been a useful guide to determining the rough levels of support for candidates.  

Peterborough CLP Backs Corbyn

The Labour Party in Peterborough has re-affirmed its support for Jeremy Corbyn by overwhelmingly backing him to remain as leader. The constituency branch of the party voted 42 to eight to back Jeremy Corbyn in the Labour leadership election where he is taking on Owen Smith.

The local Labour group has supported Jeremy Corbyn since he first stood for the party’s leadership last year. And in June Councillor Mohammed Jamil, leader of the city’s Labour group on Peterborough City Council, said its members were “saddened” that MPs had passed a motion of no confidence against him.

Cllr Ansar Ali, press officer for the Labour Group on Peterborough City Council, who was present at the Peterborough CLP nomination, said: “We had a very healthy debate with speakers speaking on behalf of both leadership candidates.“ Following the extremely constructive debate members voted overwhelmingly to endorse Jeremy Corbyn.”Labour members will receive ballot papers later this month with the result announced on September 2nd

Other CLP’s within the branch that have declared support for Corbyn are North East Cambs, Boston & Skegness and North West Norfolk.

Who can vote in the election

All CWU members who pay the political levy and who joined the union before 12th January 2016 – will be able to vote in the Labour leadership election provided they register on line as an Affiliated Supporter.

Those CWU members who pay the political levy and already registered in 2015 as Affiliated Supporters are eligible to vote in the election and do not need to sign up again this time round.

Finally, it should be noted that in order to register as an Affiliated Supporter, individuals will need to sign up to the following statement:-
I support the aims and values of the Labour Party, am not a supporter of any organisation opposed to it and pay a political subscription to my trade union from which affiliation fees are paid on my behalf.
• Those registering as Affiliated Supporters will be subject to a vetting process by the Party to ensure that individuals are on the electoral register in the UK, and support the statement as detailed above. The Party will contact individuals directly by email if there is any problem with their registration.

I hope that this has explained the situation regarding the Leadership election, hopefully once the result is known the party can unite behind whoever is the leader and concentrate on winning the 2020 general election.

Andy Beeby

Branch Political Officer

CWU Eastern Number Five Branch