Grandad 1943
"Pogs Momentum would not admit to having "official" union support now or in its foundation. That reason would be because no employed Organizer, staff or statuary committee has given support as that has come from "grass roots trade union activists" not directly employed by their unions."
Thank you for your courteous reply and I find your posts intriguing.
If you remember I said this previously in answer to one of your posts.:-
"I have followed the rise of Momentum, spoken and debated Momentum on Gransnet from it's inception and I can honestly say that I would not be remotely surprised if the connection between the Unions, especially the Unite Union , has been there from the start of Jeremy for Leader / Momentum. However I have reservations as to this being the case and would like to ask you for further input accepting you may hold more knowledge."
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I am now clear that you do believe Momentum was started by the Unite Union and Jon Lansman , albeit through 'The independent Community Branches ' , not by Unite Executive Council.
Jeremy for Leader which morphed into Momentum always seemed to be giving the impression this was a grass roots organisation by the ordinary Joe in the street who liked what Corbyn stood for and I do think there was a reason for that and no mention of accepting payment or close ties with Unite were ever mentioned, actually the opposite impression was given.
I am reminded of of a long time after Momentum was started Tom Watson got into a row with McClusky over the Unite /Momentum connections and possible 'afiliation'. Lansman was gave every impression Momentum took no funding from Unite .
www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/mar/19/momentum-accused-of-entryism-labour-tom-watson
Note the tweet between Jess Philips an Lansman where he tweeted
"has not received a penny from @unitetheunion Jess. And it won't unless it is agreed through the proper process."
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www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/mar/18/secret-tape-reveals-momentum-plot-to-link-with-unite-seize-control-of-labour?CMP=share_btn_tw
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www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/mar/20/labour-in-battle-with-momentum-for-its-future-says-watson
"Watson had demanded that McCluskey respond to a secret recording claiming that the union would fund an expansion of activities by Momentum if he were re-elected as general secretary."
"A statement from the union said Watson’s comments were extraordinary and added: “For the record, Len McCluskey has never met Jon Lansman to discuss this or any other matter.”
"Momentum has had close connections with Unite since the group was established to support Corbyn’s first leadership election campaign in 2015, according to insiders. At the organisation’s national steering committee meeting in February 2016, Lansman told Momentum supporters that Unite wanted to support the group, but would only do so if it only had Labour supporters as members, sources said. "
So much information out there to show if as you state funding had been provided through the Unite Union branches and Jon Lansman to start Momentum then I think the denial from Unite and Momentum of such a link having taken place begs a very intriguing question, Why?
