Up to five contenders are expected to throw their hat in the ring for a post which is seen as crucial in reviving Labour’s organisation, finances and policy-making structures.
First into the field has been Iain McNichol, the GMB’s national political officer, who is seen by some as the favourite because of support from unions which he has already secured. A former staff member at Labour headquarters, he also has the backing of influential MPs on the NEC.
Mr McNichol is expected to be challenged by labour movement heavyweight Joe Irvine who has worked as a special advisor – in opposition – to John Prescott, and as political secretary to Tony Blair in Downing Street. Mr Irvine’s 18 years working for trade unions included spells at the TUC and three years as a policy director at the former T&G.
The runners are likely to include Michael Stephenson, another former advisor to Mr Blair at Number 10, who is currently general secretary of the Co-op Party.
Other potential candidates include long-time party officials Roy Kennedy and Chris Lennie. Mr Kennedy was the party’s director of finance before stepping down when he was made a peer in Gordon Brown’s resignation honours list. He is married to Alicia Kennedy, the party’s deputy general secretary.
Mr Collins was expected to vacate the post of general secretary when he was ennobled at the same time, but it was decided that he would stay on until a replacement could be found.
A former assistant general secretary of the T&G before the final merger with Amicus formed Unite, Mr Collins took over as general secretary in July 2008 and is understood to have been reluctant to leave the post.
No formal applications will be submitted before the official advertisement. Party leader Ed Miliband is said to have no decision about which, if any, of the candidates he will support.
Given the task ahead for Labour, there is support among members of the NEC – which will decide the appointment – and Mr Miliband’s camp for new blood. While the task of keeping the party together meant that Mr Collins had a relatively low profile, support is growing for the restoration of the once traditional role of the general secretary as a high profile champion of the party with the authority to speak bluntly to the Labour leader.
Interviews are expected next month with an appointment by mid-July.
