Plenty of reasons to back McCluskey

The rule change to scrap the age limit was voted upon by the executive council after being advised that it was now illegal.

Also while we as trade unionists aim for a lowering of the retirement age it is still a personal choice whether to retire or not.

One of the reasons for Len McCluskey to seek an extra two years in office is due the need to see Unite fully merged something that is essential if we are to continue to grow.

We have taken major steps forward since 2010 and have seen progressive initiatives that have secured Unite's position at the forefront of the trade union movement.

These include a £25 million dispute fund putting money at the disposal of members in dispute, all branches receiving the same funding putting money into the industrial part of our union to promote industrial strength, creation of the community membership that is heavily involved in the fight against austerity and linking in with industrial disputes to secure victories as occurred recently in the North-east, Yorkshire & Humberside region at Greencore.

We do not hand over money to Labour, we affiliate and we do this to ensure we can put our efforts into winning the party back instead of walking away in petulance.

Mr Borrill makes the point of unlawful action that he was involved in. Has Len McCluskey spoken against this type of action? No - indeed there hasn't been a single repudiation of any strike during his term of office, a refreshing change.

Steve Miller

Scunthorpe