Unite supports Edwina Hart as candidate for leader of the Welsh
Labour party
19th October 2009
Unite, the biggest union in Wales, has thrown its weight behind
Edwina Hart as the union's candidate for the Welsh Labour party
leadership election.
Over the weekend, Unite's Welsh political committee consisting
of Unite members from all areas of Wales, interviewed the three
main Unite contenders for the above post. The committee decided
overwhelmingly to support Unite member Edwina Hart as its official
candidate for leader of the Welsh Labour party. The decision was
taken on the basis that they were hugely impressed with her breadth
of experience and integrity, having held three very senior cabinet
posts in the Welsh assembly since its creation.
Unite Welsh regional secretary, Andy Richards, said: "We are
confident that Edwina is the most able person to fight hard for
Wales and that she is nobody’s poodle, having supported our union
in many battles.
"She has fought against the BNP, fought to save Welsh
manufacturing and for the reinstatement of our convenor Rob
Williams at Linamar in Swansea. Edwina has also never shirked from
making tough decisions and for being accountable for them, a very
important quality in a future leader.
"Edwina is a trade unionist who has come from within our own
ranks, having been a representative and a past president of the
Wales TUC, and perfectly fits with the profile that Unite supports
in order to transform our party into one which is truly
representative of our people."
Edwina Hart is the Welsh Assembly Member for the Gower
constituency and is currently minister for health and social
services.
ENDS
Contact: Ciaran Naidoo on 07768 931 315
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