Ausertity is not the only way: there is a different path that offers hope and opportunity for everyone, UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis declared at a rally in Newcastle this evening.
Mr Prentis was speaking at a campaign meeting – and overflow outdoor rally – alongside Labour leadership candidate Jeremy Corbyn.
UNISON members who have registered with the Labour Party will be able to vote and union’s affiliated political fund Labour Link is backing Mr Corbyn, with Yvette Cooper as second preference in the transferrable vote election.
“For the first time in years, UNISON members are hearing a message of hope,” Mr Prentis told the crowd: “A clarion call that there is an alternative.
“They see a politician with a vision for a better, kinder world that works for everyone not just the privileged few.
“This campaign is our chance. It is our moment to smash the consensus that austerity is the only way.
“This is our chance to create a new path that offers hope, that offers opportunity to all.
“And it is our chance to claim back the heart and soul of our party once more.”
As well as Mr Corbyn and Mr Prentis, who was in the north east to open a new ‘shop front’ branch office in Northumerland, other speakers included Dave Hopper of the Durham Miners Association and Laura Pidcock from Show Racism the Red Card.
