T&G elects "independent" Woodley

The T&G general union has elected Tony Woodley to be its deputy general secretary when current incumbent Margaret Prosser retires in August.

Woodley, currently national secretary responsible for the motor industry, beat his only opponent Peter Booth by 59% to 41%. The margin was wider than expected but turnout was relatively low at 18%.

Woodley is seen as wanting the union to be more independent of the Labour government, although both candidates ran on a left-wing ticket. He told the Morning Star newspaper that the government had "proved a major disappointment...At every opportunity it shapes public policy to the needs of the employer."

Woodley started as a shop steward in Vauxhall's Ellesmere Port factory and was a leading force in the battle to save car giant Rover when BMW pulled the plug in year 2000.

He will be seen as close to the new wave of left-wing leaders that have been winning union elections during the period of the Labour government. He said: "Business unionism does not deliver the goods, and social partnership will remain a meaningless phrase until we have a government that is ready to play its part in making it a reality."

The T&G's general secretary, Bill Morris, is due to retire in October 2003.