UNISON election

The national executive of public services union UNISON has called a snap general secretary election despite the fact that current incumbent Dave Prentis is entitled to remain in office until May 2013. Nominations opened last month and a ballot, if required, will run between 17 May and 11 June, with the result being announced on 22 June.

Prentis was last re-elected in 2005 and said he wished to submit himself for re-election this year because “a new mandate for the general secretary now would help build a strong united union”. One possible opponent who has already thrown his hat in the ring is Paul Holmes, secretary of the high-density Kirklees branch, who is backed by left Labour MP and UNISON member John McDonnell.