A senior Momentum official has called for Labour to cut its links to trade unions. Christine Shawcroft, a member of Labour’s national executive committee, accused the unions of “sticking it” to rank-and-file supporters of the party, which should belong to its members.
The comments on her Facebook page were part of a statement endorsing Jon Lansman, the Momentum founder, for the role of general secretary. He is a frontrunner for the top job alongside Jennie Formby, a Unite official, in a heated contest that insiders see as a battle for the future of the party.
Ms Shawcroft said: “Nothing would induce me to support a candidate from a major trade union. They stick it to the rank-and-file members time after time after time. It’s also time to support disaffiliation of the unions from the Labour Party. The party belongs to us, the members.”