Overview

• Unite announced it will not nominate or back Bridget Phillipson or Lucy Powell in the deputy leadership contest.
• The union said neither candidate offers the change it seeks and cited a past instance where one candidate allegedly attacked Unite members during the Birmingham bin dispute.
• General secretary Sharon Graham called for huge public investment, a pay rise for workers, and an end to private profiteering that she says helps drive inflation.
• Earlier on Thursday, Unison and the GMB declared support for Bridget Phillipson, underscoring a split among Labour’s affiliated unions.
• Unite’s statement argued workers are leaving Labour and warned that without different economic choices the Government will keep losing support.