Amicus Left Unanimously Endorses McDonnell as Candidate for Labour leadership

John McDonnell MP's campaign for the Labour leadership was given a significant boost over the week-end when he received the unanimous backing of the influential Amicus Unity Gazette, the centre left campaigning group within Amicus which helped elect Derek Simpson as General Secretary.

At a national meeting of the Unity Gazette on Saturday 7th October there was an unanimous decision to campaign for John McDonnell to become the next leader of the Labour Party, on the basis of the policy programme he is endorsing, in particular his support for Pensioners, trade union rights, council housing and an independent foreign policy.

This added to the warm reception McDonnell has received following his address to the CWU London Regional Executive on 3/10 and the developing relationship with the left activist organisations within other Labour affiliates shows that the John4leader campaign is already making substantial headway despite the media black-out.

John McDonnell MP said: "The support of the Amicus Unity Gazette for this campaign is critically important. It demonstrates that there is a growing determination at grassroots level amongst party members and affiliates to have a say in this election.

"This shows that Amicus members are not prepared to be told that the future leadership of the party is a forgone conclusion.

"At meetings all over the country it is clear that there is a subterranean momentum gathering which is impossible for the New Labour elite to control. People want to see Labour take a radical change of direction which reconnects us with our supporters."