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Miliband leading Labour to destruction, McCluskey says Miliband leading Labour to destruction, McCluskey says
(about 2 hours later)
Ed Miliband has set Labour on a path towards "destruction" and "certain election defeat", the head of the UK's biggest union has warned the party. Ed Miliband has set Labour on a path towards "destruction" and "certain election defeat", the head of the UK's biggest union has warned.
Unite general secretary Len McCluskey made the comments after Labour's decision to support the government's pay freeze for public sector workers. Unite general secretary Len McCluskey made the comments after the party's decision to support the government's pay freeze for public sector workers.
Mr McCluskey, whose union is Labour's biggest donor, told the Guardian it undermined Mr Miliband's leadership.Mr McCluskey, whose union is Labour's biggest donor, told the Guardian it undermined Mr Miliband's leadership.
Mr Miliband said he was wrong and Labour must be trusted on the economy. Mr Miliband said this was wrong and Labour must be trusted on the economy.
'Hard choice''Hard choice'
The government announced in 2010 that public sector pay for those earning more than £21,000 would be frozen for two years, and last November said it would then only rise by only 1% in the two years to 2015.The government announced in 2010 that public sector pay for those earning more than £21,000 would be frozen for two years, and last November said it would then only rise by only 1% in the two years to 2015.
Shadow chancellor Ed Balls said on Saturday that pay restraint would have to continue, given the sluggish economy, and people should not expect Labour to oppose it.Shadow chancellor Ed Balls said on Saturday that pay restraint would have to continue, given the sluggish economy, and people should not expect Labour to oppose it.
Mr Miliband said it was "a hard choice", but when faced with either protecting jobs or giving pay rises, it was "absolutely right to prioritise employment". He also said he could not commit to reversing any of the government's cuts. Mr Miliband said it had been "a hard choice", but when faced with either protecting jobs or giving pay rises, it was "absolutely right to prioritise employment". He also said he could not commit to reversing any of the government's cuts.
Unions not affiliated with Labour criticised the move at the weekend, accusing it of "emulating the Tories on many issues", but Mr McCluskey's comments are the strongest yet from a direct party backer. Unions not affiliated to Labour criticised the move at the weekend, accusing it of "emulating the Tories on many issues", but Mr McCluskey's comments are the strongest yet from a direct party backer.
'Discredited Blairism'
In an article in the Guardian, Mr McCluskey writes that the decision has put the party into conflict with millions of poorly paid public sector workers, who would now face years of effective wage cuts.In an article in the Guardian, Mr McCluskey writes that the decision has put the party into conflict with millions of poorly paid public sector workers, who would now face years of effective wage cuts.
"Ed Balls' sudden weekend embrace of austerity and the government's public sector pay squeeze represents a victory for discredited Blairism at the expense of the party's core supporters," he writes."Ed Balls' sudden weekend embrace of austerity and the government's public sector pay squeeze represents a victory for discredited Blairism at the expense of the party's core supporters," he writes.
"It also challenges the whole course Ed Miliband has set for the party, and perhaps his leadership itself.""It also challenges the whole course Ed Miliband has set for the party, and perhaps his leadership itself."
'Cavalier'
Mr McCluskey rejected the argument that pay restraint would help create jobs and he criticised Labour for its "cavalier" failure to consult with trade unions before making the "shift" in policy.Mr McCluskey rejected the argument that pay restraint would help create jobs and he criticised Labour for its "cavalier" failure to consult with trade unions before making the "shift" in policy.
"This confronts those of us who have supported Ed Miliband's bold attempt to move on from Blairism with a challenge. His leadership has been undermined as he is being dragged back into the swamp of bond market orthodoxy.""This confronts those of us who have supported Ed Miliband's bold attempt to move on from Blairism with a challenge. His leadership has been undermined as he is being dragged back into the swamp of bond market orthodoxy."
The union leader said the Blairite right of the party would see the latest announcements as a victory and a sign of weakness from Mr Miliband - and could eventually try to oust him.The union leader said the Blairite right of the party would see the latest announcements as a victory and a sign of weakness from Mr Miliband - and could eventually try to oust him.
He added: "That way lies the destruction of the Labour Party as constituted, as well as certain general election defeat."He added: "That way lies the destruction of the Labour Party as constituted, as well as certain general election defeat."
Mr McCluskey's comments were echoed by Bob Crow, general secretary of the RMT transport trade union - which is not affiliated to the party - who said Labour was now "doomed" to electoral defeat.Mr McCluskey's comments were echoed by Bob Crow, general secretary of the RMT transport trade union - which is not affiliated to the party - who said Labour was now "doomed" to electoral defeat.
And the Evening Standard said it had seen a letter suggesting the GMB union was considering its financial ties to Labour.
A GMB spokesman told the BBC that its general secretary Paul Kenny had written to senior Labour officials saying that the decision by Ed Miliband and Ed Balls to back the public sector pay cap was "most serious mistake" they could have made.
Left-wing Labour MP John McDonnell also accused his leader of "capitulation to Cameron's economic analysis", adding: "Len McCluskey's article sums up the general feeling amongst Labour Party supporters of overwhelming disappointment."Left-wing Labour MP John McDonnell also accused his leader of "capitulation to Cameron's economic analysis", adding: "Len McCluskey's article sums up the general feeling amongst Labour Party supporters of overwhelming disappointment."
Fellow backbench MP John Mann told BBC Radio 4's World at One there had "to be some proper thought on how government can reduce spending", rather than "by attacking the lowest paid".
Unions founded Labour and supply around 90% of the party's funds. Mr Miliband narrowly won the Labour leadership contest in September 2010 ahead of his brother, David, after success with trade union members and affiliated societies pushed him into first place.Unions founded Labour and supply around 90% of the party's funds. Mr Miliband narrowly won the Labour leadership contest in September 2010 ahead of his brother, David, after success with trade union members and affiliated societies pushed him into first place.
Strong language Strong language
The Labour leader said Mr McCluskey was "entitled to his view", but that he was wrong.The Labour leader said Mr McCluskey was "entitled to his view", but that he was wrong.
"We can't go around making promises that we can't afford to keep because that would just undermine trust in us and trust in politics," Mr Miliband said."We can't go around making promises that we can't afford to keep because that would just undermine trust in us and trust in politics," Mr Miliband said.
He said he would continue "getting on with the job" of criticising the government and showing "that Labour can be trusted with the nation's finances".He said he would continue "getting on with the job" of criticising the government and showing "that Labour can be trusted with the nation's finances".
The BBC's political editor Nick Robinson said the language from Mr McCluskey was very strong, comparing Labour today to the pro-austerity government of the 1930s - which is hated in the eyes of anyone in the Labour movement.The BBC's political editor Nick Robinson said the language from Mr McCluskey was very strong, comparing Labour today to the pro-austerity government of the 1930s - which is hated in the eyes of anyone in the Labour movement.
He said Mr Miliband and Mr Balls were not trying to embrace government cuts and were instead making an attempt to signal realism but there was a danger this message was being misunderstood.He said Mr Miliband and Mr Balls were not trying to embrace government cuts and were instead making an attempt to signal realism but there was a danger this message was being misunderstood.