Unite leader Len McClusky tells Labour to be the voice of the workers
As Labour struggles with its identity and future after a brutal general election defeat, it’s relationship with the trades unions is coming under increasing pressure.
Len McClusky, the leader of union Unite, said in an interview with the BBC that Unite could reconsider its relationship with Labour if the party does not demonstrate its dedication to Britain’s working people.
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If they do that in a way that enthuses us, then I don't believe that the mountain that is ahead of us is un-climbable.
But it's up to them. If they don't, if they kind of inject more disillusionment in the party then the pressure will grow from our members to rethink. It's certainly already growing in Scotland
He told the BBC.
McClusky also said there needed to be a genuine debate about Labour’s direction following a galling day at the polls.
Labour is to spend the next few months weighing up leadership candidates, a process that means uncertainty for the party’s relationships with the unions.
Andy Burnham is considered by some to be the most pro-union candidate. This week he said he had been speaking to McClusky, but the Unite leader denies that Burnham was the Unite pick, saying all candidates would be able to put their case as leader forward.