by René Lavanchy
Unite assistant general secretary Les Bayliss was this week expected to be nominated as a candidate for Unite general secretary by his faction, Workers Uniting Group, after winning votes at a clear majority of hustings meetings. As Tribune went to press, a steering group meeting was expected to confirm his candidacy.
The nomination raises the spectacle of a “T&G versus Amicus” battle for the leadership, as the other nominated contender for next year’s election is fellow assistant general secretary Len McCluskey of United Left. Both candidates have been keen to stress their support from both sides of the union.
National officer Brian Boyd, who was challenging Mr Bayliss for the WUG nomination, withdrew on Sunday (November 15), but Paul Reuter, the other challenger, was refusing to rule himself out of the election this week.
Meanwhile, head of international affairs Simon Dubbins from the Amicus section has also declared he will stand.
