Corbyn-backing Unite general secretary Len McCluskey resigns to seek early re-election
The Corbyn-supporting boss of Britain’s biggest trade union has resigned to seek a fresh term at the helm.
Len McCluskey will seek a third term as Unite general secretary early next year in a contest due to run to 28 April.
Unite is the biggest donor to the Labour party, and provided support to Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership campaign earlier this year.
The decision means McCluskey will step down a year early, but victory would see McCluskey installed for a fresh five year term, running beyond 2020.
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McCluskey said: “I intend to be a candidate in the upcoming general secretary election and to submit my record to the vote of Unite members.”
Unite said that bringing forward the elections meant they could run in parallel with separate executive council votes, saving the union around £1m in costs.