Exclusive:Unite set to back Monica Lennon for Scottish Labour leader

The union’s Regional Labour Party Liaison Committee recommended nominating Ms Lennon at a meeting on Tuesday.

The Scotsman understands that Unite is still going through the formal process for endorsing Ms Lennon, but that this is expected in the next few days.

Each of the candidates need the support of two trade unions to make it onto the ballot.

Ms Lennon is not expected to struggle for union nominations.

A source said: “The meeting of the Unite Regional Labour Party Liaison Committee decided to make a recommendation to the union centrally that it should nominate Monica Lennon in the Scottish Labour Party leadership election.”

The endorsement will mean Ms Lennon needs the backing of just one more union.

But she still requires the backing of one more MP and one more MSP if she is to make it to the members’ vote.

It is unclear whether she will be able to reach the threshold or not. Only two MSPs - left-winger Carol Mochan and newbie Joe Long - are still to indicate who they back.

Among the MPs, there is no one obvious who would support Ms Lennon.

The other leadership contenders, Michael Marra and Joe Fagan, already have enough parliamentary support.

But they could struggle for union endorsements.

There are only 10 trade unions affiliated with the Scottish Labour Party.

Unison, Unite, the Communication Workers Union (CWU), the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen (ASLEF) and the Transport Salaried Staffs' Association (TSSA) are generally considered to be more left-wing unions.

They are more likely to back Ms Lennon.

This means there are less unions for Mr Marra and Mr Fagan to compete for.

GMB Scotland, Community and the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers (Usdaw) are considered the more moderate ones.

Because there are only three unions between the two of them, one of the candidates will need backing from smaller affiliates. These are the National Union of Miners (NUM) and Musicians’ Union. Their selection is much less predictable and could potentially go to any candidate.

It comes as Mr Marra pledged to give the party “back to the member”s by devolving power and resources within Scottish Labour if elected leader.

He said he will give members, local parties and regions greater influence over how the party organises, campaigns, and develops policy.

Mr Marra said: “Scottish Labour members know their cities, towns, islands and villages. They understand the issues that matter to the people who live there and the political challenges facing their communities. We will give them the power, influence, and resources to act.

“Under my leadership, we will devolve real power and resources away from the centre of the party and give members and local parties far greater influence over how Scottish Labour organises, the political priorities we set, how we campaign and how we develop policy.

“My commitment to the spirit and practice of devolution is absolute. The transfer of power will begin under my leadership, with members, trade unions and affiliates as partners in determining how the reforms work throughout Scotland.”