Len McCluskey has seen off a challenge to be elected to a third term at the helm of Unite.
And what a seeing off it was. When the votes starting to come in, and reportedly showed the top two contenders neck-and-neck, McCluskey’s rival was promptly suspended. Gerard Coyne was stripped of his duties as West Midlands regional secretary – although it’s not clear what he’s supposed to have done wrong or who his accusers are.
Coyne has been a thorn in the side of the McCluskey hierarchy for some time. The Guardian points out that he was given a written warning in 2016. His offence? Speaking at an event hosted by moderate Labour MPs Chuka Umunna and Tristram Hunt.
His challenge certainly was not welcomed. Coyne’s campaign was an explicit pitch for moderate, pragmatic trade unionism – against the far-left politicking which saw Unite back Jeremy Corbyn for Labour leader.
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