Gazette selects Laurence Faircloth for General Secretary Election

Nominations are now open for the election for a UNITE Joint General Secretary from the Amicus section, for a 1-year term of office from 23rd December 2009 to 23rd December 2010.

The Gazette believes that this is an election we could have done without. We opposed the legal challenge to the union and opposed the consequent rule change which enabled this election. However, the election is now taking place.

At an open national meeting on Saturday 1st November, Gazette supporters debated how to respond to the election. We agreed a It was overwhelmingly agreed to select Laurence Faircloth as the Gazette candidate. Laurence is standing for election on the basis of Gazette policies - promoting a union controlled by the members and which is not afraid to fight back.

In a context where jobs are being lost by the thousand, Gazette supporters believe we need a candidate who can relate to the real problems our members face across the union. The recession and credit crunch are having a real impact on jobs. Laurence has pledged to support our members resisting job losses and where necessary, has said he will challenge the New Labour Government where it is clear our members’ interests are not being taken into account.

He has confirmed that he will be standing on the basis of Gazette policies, such as:

* A vigorous response to the economic crisis, in particular fighting job losses
* Support for election of officers and increased accountability to the lay-member structures of the union
* Only supporting Labour MP’s who support the policies of our Union
* Stopping the unconditional handing over vast sums centrally to the Labour Party, in favour of making contributions regionally.