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Unite union backs MSP for Labour job | Unite union backs MSP for Labour job |
(about 17 hours later) | |
The UK's biggest union has urged its members to back Scottish Labour's health spokesman Neil Findlay to become the party's new leader. | The UK's biggest union has urged its members to back Scottish Labour's health spokesman Neil Findlay to become the party's new leader. |
Unite said the MSP understood the concerns of working people and would "fight doggedly" on their behalf. | Unite said the MSP understood the concerns of working people and would "fight doggedly" on their behalf. |
Construction workers' union Ucatt has also backed the former bricklayer. | |
Mr Findlay is facing competition from MP Jim Murphy, who is seen as the frontrunner in the contest, as well as fellow MSP Sarah Boyack. | |
Johann Lamont announced last month that she was stepping down as Scottish Labour leader. | Johann Lamont announced last month that she was stepping down as Scottish Labour leader. |
At the time, she accused party colleagues in Westminster of treating Scotland like a "branch office". | At the time, she accused party colleagues in Westminster of treating Scotland like a "branch office". |
The new leader will be announced on 13 December, after a contest decided by a vote involving Scottish Labour parliamentarians, party members and affiliated trade unions and societies. | The new leader will be announced on 13 December, after a contest decided by a vote involving Scottish Labour parliamentarians, party members and affiliated trade unions and societies. |
Mr Findlay has already won the backing of Unison, which represents about 150,000 public service workers in Scotland, as well as other union support. | Mr Findlay has already won the backing of Unison, which represents about 150,000 public service workers in Scotland, as well as other union support. |
Announcing Unite's backing for Mr Findlay, the union's Scotland leader Pat Rafferty, said: "Neil's impressive record of working for working people and their communities at Holyrood and in his role as shadow health minister won the day. | Announcing Unite's backing for Mr Findlay, the union's Scotland leader Pat Rafferty, said: "Neil's impressive record of working for working people and their communities at Holyrood and in his role as shadow health minister won the day. |
"In Neil we are confident that our members will find a leader who not only understands their concerns but will fight doggedly on their behalf. They can be assured that Neil is on their side." | "In Neil we are confident that our members will find a leader who not only understands their concerns but will fight doggedly on their behalf. They can be assured that Neil is on their side." |
Mr Findlay said: "I'm obviously pleased that I have the confidence and trust of Unite and other unions as well as fast growing number of Labour party members in driving forward ideas and policies that will deliver a better life for working people in Scotland." | Mr Findlay said: "I'm obviously pleased that I have the confidence and trust of Unite and other unions as well as fast growing number of Labour party members in driving forward ideas and policies that will deliver a better life for working people in Scotland." |
Ucatt said it was backing Mr Findlay because of his commitment to a number of union campaigns including full employment and the Living Wage. | |
The union said it was supporting MP Katy Clark for deputy leader. | |
Ucatt's general secretary Steve Murphy said: "Neil Findlay and Katy Clark will create a dynamic and radical leadership team. Their policies will benefit working people who feel they are being ignored by other political parties." | |
Mr Murphy, a former secretary of state for Scotland, has won majority backing among Scottish Labour MPs, MEPs and MSPs. | Mr Murphy, a former secretary of state for Scotland, has won majority backing among Scottish Labour MPs, MEPs and MSPs. |
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