[A-List] UK state: London mayoral election

["Michael Keaney" <michael.keaney@xxxxxx>]

Gavron wins union ballot in London mayor fight

Patrick Wintour, chief political correspondent
Wednesday October 30, 2002
The Guardian

Nicky Gavron emerged as the surprisingly comprehensive winner in the first
union ballot for Labour candidates for London mayor when she won the contest
in the Transport and General Workers Union.

She took 65% of the total vote while Tony Banks, previously seen as the
frontrunner, took 26%.

The TGWU leadership in London had strongly recommended its members to back
Ms Gavron, the London deputy mayor. If this result were matched in the other
London unions Mr Banks would have to do very well in the 49,000-strong
constituency section to compensate.

The unions hold 50% of the vote, but must distribute their vote within their
section of the college proportionately to the vote for each candidate. The
TGWU represents about 3% of the total electoral college. Mr Banks's camp
countered by revealing that the Newham MP had clearly won in the ballot
inside shopworkers' union Usdaw. He was said to have taken 60% of the vote.
Mr Banks's camp claims its soundings show he is ahead in the constituency
section. The ballot closes on Friday.

Eddie McDermott, the T&G London regional secretary, said: "I am pleased with
this result and hope that our early declaration will encourage those in
other sections of the party who have not yet voted to swing behind Nicky."

Mr Banks has told his campaign team not to organise a victory party for his
supporters should he win."I am contacting the other candidates to suggest we
hold a joint fundraising event to celebrate the way the contest has been
conducted," he said. "Whichever individual is selected, the party has been
the big winner."