Skip to main content
Unite diverts Labour funds to grassroots movements
‘We want to use our political funding to support and nurture newer voices in the movement,’ Unite general secretary Len McCluskey says

UNITE is cutting its funding of Labour and directing money to grassroots movements instead, in a move partly driven by anger at the damages paid to Panorama “whistleblowers.”

Britain’s largest trade union is to reduce its affiliation to the party by 10 per cent, or 50,000 members – understood to amount to £1 million – after its executive council narrowly voted for the move on Tuesday night.

Announcing the decision today, Unite general secretary Len McCluskey stressed that the union would remain Labour’s biggest affiliate despite the cuts. 

The 95th Anniversary Appeal
Support the Morning Star
You have reached the free limit.
Subscribe to continue reading.
More from this author
POLICING THE POLICE: GLC leader Ken Livingstone (centre), wi
Features / 10 March 2023
10 March 2023
In an exclusive investigation, BETHANY RIELLY looks at how the state targeted leading politicians and campaigning groups — labelling many well-known figures 'extremists' and 'subversives' for attempting to hold the police to account
Eritrean female soldiers
Features / 12 December 2022
12 December 2022
On September 4, 16 Eritrean asylum-seekers were arrested at a protest against their country’s dictatorship and its supporters here. Since then, questions have been raised about whether the British authorities are doing enough to protect activists and asylum-seekers from the ‘long arm’ of the regime in Asmara
Similar stories
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Deputy Prime Minister An
Labour Conference 2024 / 20 September 2024
20 September 2024
IAN LAVERY MP looks at the first months of Labour government and warns a new approach is needed if it is to reshape Britain
Labour Party leader Keir Starmer smiles as he speaks to his
Features / 10 July 2024
10 July 2024
In the third of his four-part series on the general election, PETER KENWORTHY looks at Keir Starmer's moves to shift Labour right, and how some independent candidates used that to challenge the party
Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn (second right) has his pi
Britain / 6 June 2024
6 June 2024
Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn speaks to protesters from
Britain / 16 May 2024
16 May 2024