Unite union's snap election is not good for democracy

The Unite union executive has announced a timetable for a general secretary election—three years early. This would allow Len McCluskey to extend his term for a further two years.

As Socialist Worker went to press he was the only candidate. Any candidate has to get 50 branch nominations in the first six weeks of 2013. The process will be over by the middle of April.

A snap election is the kind of manoeuvre normally employed by the right. The majority of the United Left have welcomed it and backed McCluskey’s candidacy.

But SWP members voted against the snap election, in defence of lay democracy. For this they were excluded from the United Left committee. Members are now discussing who we will back.