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McCluskey set to face Unite challenge from Gerard Coyne Len McCluskey's Unite challenger Gerard Coyne wants end to 'party politics'
(about 3 hours later)
A leading Unite official is expected to announce he is challenging Len McCluskey for the leadership of the UK's largest union on Tuesday. A new challenger to lead the UK's largest trade union says he will stop it "playing Westminster power games".
Gerard Coyne, Unite's West Midlands secretary, is understood to be frustrated by the positioning of the union and its stance on some issues. Gerard Coyne said Unite had to be "strong, smart and organised" and not distracted by party politics.
Mr McCluskey has already announced his intention to resign early in the new year to enable him to run again. Mr Coyne, the union's West Midlands secretary, is challenging Len McCluskey for the leadership.
He is one of Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn's most prominent backers. Unite is Labour's biggest donor and Mr McCluskey has been one of leader Jeremy Corbyn's key backers in the face of opposition from some MPs.
Unite has provided crucial backing for Mr Corbyn in the face of significant opposition from many of the party's MPs. Mr McCluskey has already announced plans to resign as general secretary but to stand again for the position, a move which brings forward the election by a year.
Mr Coyne's challenge would be seen by the Labour leader's allies as a political attack. BBC political editor Laura Kuenssberg said Mr Coyne's challenge would be seen by the Labour leader's allies as a political attack.
Laura Kuenssberg: What McCluskey fight means for Labour She added that Mr Coyne was understood to be concerned about Mr Corbyn's anti-Trident stance given that thousands of Unite members work in the defence industry.
Mr McCluskey, who is seeking to run again to keep control of the union, is one of the most influential figures in the Labour movement and will start the contest in a strong position to fend off the challenge. Announcing his candidacy on his Facebook page, Mr Coyne, who has worked for the union for more than 20 years having joined as a shop worker at Sainsbury's, said: "I believe our union needs to be changed so we can get on with the only job that matters; protecting and defending our members at work."
But Mr Coyne, who has worked for Unite for more than 20 years, is understood to be frustrated with the positioning of the union, and what he considers its focus on the political priorities of his rival rather than Unite's 1.4 million members. "We have got to be strong, smart and organised but we can't be distracted party politics.
Trident concerns "As a candidate, my priority is making a real difference for you rather than playing Westminster power games. It's time we changed the union to reflect our members' priorities."
Although Mr Corbyn has enjoyed strong support from the Unite leadership, Mr Coyne is understood to be concerned about his anti-Trident stance given that thousands of Unite members work in the defence industry, as well as about the potential impact on auto industry workers after reports suggested the Labour leader is considering advocating a ban on petrol cars.
A supporter of Mr Coyne said: "Gerard feels the union needs to get back on track and start placing its members' interests ahead of party politics again.
"He thinks he is the right man for the job."
The result of the contest, which will run into next spring, will dictate who has control over a huge network of political supporters, organisation, and financial infrastructure.The result of the contest, which will run into next spring, will dictate who has control over a huge network of political supporters, organisation, and financial infrastructure.
Unite has consistently been the most generous donor to Labour, and has become even more crucial given the softening of support among some other union backers for Mr Corbyn.