General secretary elections

Mick Whelan is the new general secretary of the 19,000-strong ASLEF train drivers’ union and will replace Keith Norman, who will step down by the end of this year.

The result of the second round of voting was very close, with district organiser Whelan receiving 3,683 votes and national organiser Simon Weller getting 3,458. Turnout was 42.6%.

Voting will also begin this month for the leadership of the UCATT construction union.

Former general secretary Alan Ritchie was forced to step down earlier this year when the government certification officer nullified his 2009 election win (see Labour Research April 2011, page 7). The result will be declared on 13 December.