Unite won't sever Labour Party ties - Len McCluskey

Unite leader Len McCluskey said the union's affiliation to the party could be reconsidered

Unite general secretary Len McCluskey says his union is not considering ending its ties with the Labour Party.

Mr McCluskey had previously suggested a "rethink" in Unite's approach unless the party shows it is "the voice of organised labour".

Labour's acting leader, Harriet Harman, said she did not think Unite would end its Labour affiliation.

Unite members are expected to debate ending the link at its July conference, the BBC's Norman Smith said.

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Many SNP-supporting Unite members are questioning the exclusive tie-ins with Labour, he said, adding: "This critical issue is now becoming interwoven with the whole debate about who is going to take over leadership of the Labour Party."

'Completely silly'

About 3.5 million union members are affiliated to the Labour Party, with a total of £11m donated from unions to the party last year.

Following changes introduced under Ed Miliband's leadership, union members - as well as Labour members and registered supporters - are allowed one vote each in the leadership contest.

On Sunday, Mr McCluskey said it was "essential" that the correct leader is chosen, adding: "It's up to them. If they inject more disillusionment in the party then the pressure will grow from our members to rethink."

Asked on Monday about the idea his union might end its relationship with Labour, he said: "This idea that we're considering disaffiliating from the Labour Party is nonsense, we're not considering that at all."

Labour had a chance to "rise like a phoenix from the ashes", he added.

Unite members will debate its Labour affiliation in July

Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Margaret Prosser, a former union leader and Labour treasurer, said it was "completely silly" just to focus on organised labour.

"The idea that the whole focus of Labour's proposal or offer ought to be around organised labour is just daft," she said.

"We have to be able to say that the government, a Labour government is going to be there for all kinds of people."

Paul Kenny, of the GMB union, said her criticism was out of date.

'None of that'

But Mr Kenny told the BBC he would prefer to have a public row and "blood bath" now rather than in two years' time.

He said Labour would struggle without union funds, adding that "if you took away the support from the affiliated unions financially, then it would be difficult to see how the Labour Party would fight a national election".

Ms Harman said while she expected a "robust debate", she did not expect Unite to end its affiliation to the Labour Party.

The party had changed the way its leader is elected, adopting a one member, one vote system, she said.

"Last time the unions communicated directly with many of their members, sending them ballot papers with accompanying material only mentioning one candidate," she said.

"There will be none of that this time.

"The Electoral Reform Society will send out individual ballot papers to each member of the electorate."