Unite distances itself from Burnham camp after email blip

Oh dear. Andy Burnham’s efforts of late to appeal to Jeremy Corbyn’s left-wing voters may have gone to waste after an email blip this morning. Steerpike understands that he has risked the wrath of one of the unions after an official looking email was circulated to members of Unite, the trade union, urging them to vote for Burnham.

With Unite backing Corbyn, members were surprised to receive the email, from Joyce Still and Steve Hibbert of the union’s executive council, asking them to support Burnham in the leadership race:

@unitetheunion just rec email from Andy Burnham team in name of J Still & S Hibbert Unire Exec – why are they endorsing Andy in Unites name?

— JT – I DO WHAT I DO BECAUSE I CARE!! #UnpaidCarers (@Disabled_Carer) August 20, 2015