Well done to London Nurse, Rachel Voller, for winning the Greater London UNISON Labour Link National Committee elections. Rachel won by a very comfortable majority in the recent postal ballot of all London Labour Link members (2,857 votes against 2,245, a 612 majority over her opponent Andrew Berry - formal commiserations to Andrew).
I think this is a ringing endorsement from London for the UNISON Labour Link National Committee and their democratic decision to nominate Gorden as the Leader of the Labour Party (and Alan for Deputy Leader).
However, it looks very likely (if not certain) that we are facing a real general election in the very near future. so we need to move on and unite and concentrate our energies against the hideous prospect of a Tory Government. Nuff said?
27 comments:
So about 5000 votes in all? what on earth was the turn out for the ringing endorsement of APF voters?
about the same sought of turnout and majority as Comrade Jon Rogers
Is it really true Glen Kelley has only 400 members out of a workforce of 3,000 now thats a mandate
Hi Anon
Don't know turnout - but the scale of the victory is pretty good when you consider all the effort that was put in on behalf of Andrew.
56% to 44% I make it in terms of turnout depends how many APF payers there are in the Region but I suspect it to be over 10% which is actually higher than in the last NEC elections.(sure either candidate can confirm) 44% shows a very significant minority support a move to the left.It shows our supprot is wider than the obscure backebnch M.P's anyway :)
Commiserations to Andrew who I am pleased to have voted for: Congratulations to Rachel I look forward to her pursuing UNISON policy vigorously in the run up to the increasingly likely election.
Anon I cant recall Bromleys exact membership figures but are equally not sure of their relevance also why they would be "Glen's" members surely they belong to the Branch! (ftr I think its about 1100)
Maybe we should consider a change for national delegate conference, that when a speaker introduces themselves - eg "Glenn Kelly, Bromley branch", they ought to also have to announce their membership density!
I don't see how Cde Kelly at Bromley can call for a national strike when in the last pensions strike, only 200 went out on strike
follow the piper and dance
Nicola
On Sean question yes the turn out was just over 10%.
Thanks John for the “formal Commiserations” and well done to Rachel. I am very pleased to have got 2245 vote in such an election over 44% is not in any way shape or form terrible result and certainly encourages me to consider standing in such elections again, should people wish me too.
It would be good if Rachael carried out her promise that she made after her privous election, i.e. produce a newsletter, which reports to all branches about the Labour Link, locally and nationally. As I did then, I offer to help.
I do hope Rachel reviews her comments about no alliance with obscure Backbench MP’s. I talked to Dave Anderson MP at TUC who is a former president of unison who found the comment somewhat bazaar and could consider himself “obscure” although obscure is a little offensive but certainly not well known as an MP. We should \make alliances with all Labour MP’s who are prepared to support us.
And finally I would like to especially congratulate Ann Black elected unopposed and Mark Turner who was elected in the Wales and who I would have happily supported had I been member in Wales. He will hopefully provide full reports as to what happens on the National committee.
What chance that labour will sort out their appalling legacy of Iraq (less than two words in Browns speech for every soldier killed or maimed). Will they get the old bag with the caravan back in the foreign office?
Hi Andrew
In view of the pending election I am willing to give peace a chance. We will discuss this issue at another time.
"What chance that labour will sort out their"
Hi BNP supporter - your arguments are as unintelligible and inarticulate as ever. I look forward to the coming contest with pleasure.
No point criticising membership figures otherwise we would have to have a pop at Louise (NEC) Couling at Barking surely?
Congrats to all parties for standing and letting some of us vote anyway -but I do expect rachel to to withdraw her remark about not working with obscure back bench MPs. What a daft thing to say in your manifesto. Hope she grows up and reports back regularly on an open basis.
hello all.
I usually refrain from commenting on such forums but would like to go on record as saying thank you to those who supported me.
To all who supported Andrew thank you also for coming out to vote.
I think one of the things that we can all acknowledge is that whoever you were supporting turn out in this election was as low as it is in others.
Such apathy in these issues is something that we all want to avoid.
Whatever our internal political difference I believe that with the possibility of a general election in sight we should all have our focus on returning a Labour Government for a fourth term.
I welcome political debate. I don't agree that this should in any way stifled or else our purpose as union and party members become redundant.
However, we all have a common purpose and that is progressive politics. I believe that under Labour we have achieved great things but there is work to be done.
Let us concentrate our efforts on our real enemies... the opposition parties... and not on differing political theory within our own.
I look forward to working with ALL UNISON members over the next two years with one goal in mind... getting our members voices heard by those who have the power to make a difference in their lives.
To those people who have commented upon my personality or my motive during this election campaign may I invite you to get to know me and what I am really about. Not to judge me by the rhetoric and speculation that is displayed by varying political fractions.
I believe in the trade union movement and that is why I dedicate my life to working in it.
Best wishes and solidarity to you all.
Rachel.
ps anonymous who are you?
For anyones record I don't believe that J mcD was the best option to lead our party to a 4th term. Some realism vs idealism please.
Hi Anon
How can anyone have a pop at the blessed Louise! Words fail me.
I think that Rachel was perfectly justified with her perfectly pointed manifesto commitment not to support “unrepresentative” (my word not Rachel’s) MP’s, no matter how sincere they are about their views (obviously I am excluding Galloway in this).
Anyway, even thought things are not as certain as they were this morning – 12 hours is a long time in politics – I will refrain from being more direct in the interests of unity.
However, I can’t resist asking if there is an election it will be interesting how some people will be able to campaign for a Party led by the “enemy”?
Hi Rachel
Good posts - but you give Anon too much honour by responding to his (yes, we all can guess who it is) silly digs.
You won, they lost. Nuf said?
I can't believe Gordon has bottled out of an election? Why did he allow the speculation to run rife if he didn't have the balls to see it through...
Prudence has spoken. Remember this caution is one of the reasons why he was re-elected unopposed. Yes, Gordon probably wanted to hold a snap election soon after he took over to give him a clearer mandate; Yes, there appeared to be an opportunity too good to dismiss after Tory disarray during the summer and deft handling by Gordon of critical events.
However, remember WYSIWYG and if Gordon decided this was not the best time to hold an election then we can expect nothing less than for him to say No.
Don't make me laugh...even your own reporting of the labour conference suggests you were clearly taken in regarding an impending election. Look at the Sunday paper headlines - he had the party booking advertising space, recruiting, bringing forward Parliamentary business - clearly a week ago he was going for it - and now he has to back down - what a dreadful miscalculation. What a gift to the Tories? What a Wuss.
Deft handling of crisis during the summer - oh yes! like the foot and mouth outbreak that originated in a Government laboratory? Nice one.
"Don't make me laugh…."
Hi Anon
Yes, I did think that he was going to hold an election and it is clear that he was seriously considering it (as you point out). However, upon reflection he decided against it. Is there anything really wrong with that?
Isn’t this something we should encourage politicians of all Parties to do a little more thinking and being susceptible to arguments before making a final decision? Its a good thing in my book.
“Deft handling of crisis during the summer….”
I don’t really think that Gordon can be blamed for broken pipes. He can be praised for the calm and authoritative way he dealt with the outbreak. I think most people agree.
Yes I'm sure the farming community agree - what a bunch of amateurs!
"Yes I did think he was going to hold an election...we should encourage policians to do a little more thinking..its a good thing in my book"...shame he didn't think about it a bit sooner and then he could have avoided shooting himself in the foot. He lost his nerve and his dithering has severely damaged him and the Govt. What a fiasco. Great timing, great judgement Gordon. All this was completely avoidable.
Hi Anon(s)
Don't agree with either of your views - check out my new post. You should find interesting.
Unless you live in Mole Valley, Surrey and are Tories.
Hi
Disappointed to see that you haven't posted your opinion on a rather pressing issue facing UNISON members at the moment - the 2007/8 local government pay claim and ballot on industrial action..
Cameron
UNISON member
Sandwell
Hi Cameron
Yes, good point I have been ducking the issue. To be frank I am in a bit of a bind. My advice to members is to support your union, toe “the line” and vote for strike action. It will be damaging to the union if members reject official recommendations. But I am seriously worried that members are not “up for it”.
I’ll be out regardless if there is a strike. It is absolutely imperative that we have a big turnout on the ballot to give any action legimacy.
Well done Rachel!
i like what you stand for, all the best.
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