A number of trade unions have sent an open letter to Keir Starmer over the banning of Jamie Driscoll from the longlist for selection of Labour candidate to be North East mayor. This is the text of the first one, addressed to the office of the Leader of the Opposition:
We are astonished and dismayed that Jamie Driscoll is being prevented from being considered as Labour’s candidate for the North East Mayoralty. To exclude a politician of Jamie’s calibre and commitment represents a monumental own goal.
Jamie has already proved to be an outstanding Mayor for the North of Tyne. Be it campaigning with other northern Mayors to put pressure on Westminster, or working on a cross party basis and with trade unions and communities, Jamie has always put the people of the North East first.
Jamie’s drive and leadership in negotiating a devolution deal for the North East is widely acknowledged and as trade unionists we know that Jamie is firmly on the side of working people. He has stood with workers on the picket line and he has stood with trade unionists in their campaigns for better wages, jobs and services.
Working people need a strong voice like Jamie.
We are calling for common sense to prevail and for Jamie to be given the opportunity to stand in the selection to be Labour candidate for the North East Mayor.
Mick Lynch – General Secretary RMT
Mick Whelan – General Secretary ASLEF
Dave Ward – General Secretary CWU
Matt Wrack – General Secretary FBU
Brian Harris – North East Regional Secretary FBU
Sarah Woolley – General Secretary BFAWU
Bob Monks – General Secretary URTU
Frank Heathcote – President PCS, signed in a personal capacity
Dr Jo Grady – General Secretary UCU, signed in a personal capacity
Steve Gillan – General Secretary POA, signed in a personal capacity
John Hall, Dan Lister & Lester Russell – North East Regional Executive Members NASUWT*
Dr David Baines – Newcastle Branch Secretary NUJ
In addition to this, there was a message of thanks and solidarity to Jamie from the Northumberland NEU, which was unanimously agreed at their members’ meeting on June 14.
“As we are not a Labour-affiliated union, we do not take a position on internal Labour Party matters. We therefore do not express any preferences in candidate selections. However, we are concerned that the current mayor of the North of Tyne region – who has done so much good for Northumberland – is unable to stand as a Labour Party candidate for election to the enlarged regional authority.
“We greatly appreciate your contribution as mayor. We especially want to express gratitude for your practical efforts to reduce child poverty, your strong support for the development of a supply teachers’ cooperative, and your environmental work, including the promotion of climate education.
“Above all, we are grateful for your consistent support for our members taking strike action to protect pay and school funding. You have supported us on the picket lines, at strike rallies and in the media. You have articulated our case that fair pay for teachers and support staff is vital for the future of education.
“Thank you for your support and solidarity”.
*Editorial note, added September 28: Patrick Roach, General Secretary of the NASUWT, has asked us to point out that “For the avoidance of doubt, the NASUWT is a non-partisan organisation and does not endorse political candidates from any political party.” Furthermore, Patrick Roach’s e-mail notes, in relation to our article, “that the NASUWT is taking a position on Jamie Driscoll’s potential candidacy is false and does not represent our position.” Our inclusion of the names of three NASUWT regional executive members in the original article was on the understanding that these three added their support to Jamie Driscoll entirely in a personal capacity but we are happy to confirm the union’s view on that.
