GMB union members back Owen Smith for Labour leadership saying it’s time to face up to reality
Jeremy Corbyn is still the bookies favourite to be re-elected as Labour leader despite the union's decision
ONE of the country's biggest unions is supporting Owen Smith in the Labour leadership contest, saying it is "time to face up to reality".
The 600,000-plus GMB members were asked if they wanted to support Smith or Jeremy Corbyn and 60% voted for him and the rest for the veteran leftie.
Around 30,000 GMB members are eligible to vote in the leadership election, but the union wanted to gauge the feeling of all its members.
GMB General Secretary Tim Roache said: “The Labour Party is at a crossroads.
"I’m under no illusions that we’re living through dangerous political times – the like of which I haven’t seen during my three decades in our movement.
“It’s time for us to face up to reality.”
"GMB balloted our members because this kind of decision shouldn't be taken from up on high.
“We're a democratic organisation here to serve our members' interests. I was determined that our members would have their say, and they've had it.
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"I'll proudly campaign alongside Owen in the coming weeks and months to deliver on his pledges to end the public sector pay freeze, to support defence workers, to invest in health and industry, and to build an industrial strategy - these are bread and butter issues for the people I represent.
"But we can only tackle them if we're in government.
“That's the end game and I hope whatever the final result, the Labour Party will unite when all this is over.
“GMB members cannot afford for Labour to be talking to itself in a bubble for the next five years while the Tories run riot through our rights at work, our public services and our communities."
Mr Smith said: "It's a great honour to receive GMB's nomination to be the next leader of the Labour Party after a consultation with its members.
"At the heart of my campaign are commitments to strengthening our trade unions, ending exploitation and delivering greater equality.
"I look forward to working with the GMB, its members and all in the Labour movement to tackle inequality, invest in strong public services, and for Britain to have trade union and workers' rights that are the envy of the world."
The nomination comes two days after the executive of the shopworkers' union Usdaw decided to nominate Smith in the Labour leadership election.
It was the second union in a few days to back the challenger rather than Corbyn, following support last week from the steelworkers’ union Community.
But the leader has won the backing of other unions including those representing rail workers, Post Office and BT workers and construction employees.
John Hannett, general secretary of Usdaw, said: “Owen Smith offers the best opportunity to unite the Labour party and lead us into government at the next general election.
"The decision of our executive council reflects that.
“Workers’ rights, pay and standards of living continue to be at risk under a Conservative Government that is taking us out of the EU, so it is crucial that we elect a Labour government at the next general election.
“Our members cannot afford years of principled opposition, with a Labour party divided and unable to secure the confidence of voters.”
Jeremy Corbyn is still the odds-on favourite to remain as Labour leader with some bookmakers offering odds of 1/20 while Smith has odds of around 8/1.