UNISON NEC elections see left step back
Jim Jepps
UNISON's NEC elections have been disappointing for the left,
particularly considering the excellent results in other unions over recent
months.
With what can only be described as a 'poor' turnout of 8% of the
members there is no turning away from the fact that the left lost ground. The
left won 12 of the 70 seats on UNISON's National Executive Council
United Left candidates Mike Tucker, Diana Leach, Jessie Ruseell,
Helen Jenner, John McDermott, Ann MacMillan, and Jon Rogers were all elected
whilst three sitting United Left candidates Kate Aherns, Yunus Bakhsh and fiona
Monkman lost their seats.
The Socialist Party increased their representation from three to
five (Roger Bannister, Raph Parkinson and Jean Thorpe are now joined by Glenn
Kelly and Diane Shepherd) Whilst the Socialist Party can be pleased that their
own representation was increased, their joy is no doubt tempered by the fact
that the left overall is in a worse, rather than better state.
Unison
United Left and the
Socialist Party Report of this election
June 2005
