Major rail union members stop short of full backing for Jeremy Corbyn

Members of a major transport union today rejected calls to formally back the Labour party - despite singling out Jeremy Corbyn for praise.



The RMT, which represents transport workers, was disaffiliated from Labour in 2004 after the party's high command booted it out for backing rival parties.

After a year-long consultation with members the union said it was "remaining unaffiliated" from Labour for the time being - but it vowed to "encourage its 80,000 plus members to be active in the Labour party".

The union's branches will also be able to use their political funds to campaign for a Corbyn-led government and will be "encouraged to develop relations with local Labour parties".

The move echoes last week's decision by Britain's biggest civil service union - PCS - to unlock funds for pro-Labour campaigning while stopping short of formal affiliation.

RMT General Secretary Mick Cash said in a statement that consultation with the union's branches had revealed "finely balanced" views on re-establishing full ties with Labour.

But he warned: "Many of our members have also reacted angrily to constant attempts by a hard core of Labour MPs to undermine Jeremy Corbyn and the radical progressive changes he has made to Labour.

"In contrast there is a clear desire amongst RMT members to support Jeremy Corbyn and the left leadership of the Labour Party and that is why we are now be putting in place other concrete steps to throw the weight of the RMT behind supporting the socialist advances that have been made in the Labour Party.

"This will include aligning ourselves towards Labour, encouraging members to be active in Labour and allowing our branches and regions to fund Labour candidates."

The announcement came as the RMT confirmed its members will take part in a new wave of strikes on London's Docklands Light Railway next month.