by Chris McLaughlin

THE search for a new Labour Party general secretary is likely to focus on candidates who represent a “complete break” with the present party structure.

Support is expected to mount for a successor to Peter Watt – who resigned in the “donorgate” affair – who has no connections with the current national executive or internal party structure.

Union leaders want a return to a heavyweight figure from the labour movement to take on the role, which has been reduced in status under “new” Labour.

The appointment of Larry Whitty to head the – now stalled – inquiry into the cash given by north east businessman David Abrahams is seen as a reflection of the view that the former GMB officer was the last figure to carry significant weight as general secretary.

A shift away from recent successive appointments of young party staffers is expected to mean the appointment of a senior trade union official.

Keith Sonnet, deputy general secretary of Unison, and Mike Griffiths of Amicus are being canvassed as early front runners ahead of a decision due to be made by the National Executive Committee on January 31.
Tony Dubbins, Mr Griffiths’ Amicus colleague, is also being pressed by supporters to throw his hat into the ring.

Attempts are being made to profile Mr Sonnet, a staunch anti-Iraq war protester, as the left-wing, anti-corruption candidate and Mr Griffiths as the “safe” right-of-centre leadership preference.

Other names being canvassed include the GMB’s Debbie Coulter and Diana Holland of Unite T&G.

Neither has confirmed their willingness to stand, but may come under pressure to declare an interest as a move to select a woman with a widely respected campaigning record and clout within the trade union movement.

Mr Griffiths has experience of the party machine as a member of the NEC and party chair, but this may count against him if there is a decisive shift away from any association with the regime under which controversial payments were made to party coffers even though few individuals, including Mr Griffiths, were aware of them.

Mr Sonnet, who is not seen as a prospective successor to general secretary Dave Prentis, is expected to be portrayed by supporters as a candidate who will bring weight to the role and stand up for the party against Downing Street.

Ray Collins of Unite T&G, who was runner-up for the post last time, is thought to be another possible candidate.

Lord Whitty, whose inquiry has been temporarily halted at the request of staff, is unlikely to agree to act as a stand-in until the next election, a possibility canvassed briefly in the past week by aides of Gordon Brown.