Red Len McCluskey warns Jeremy Corbyn his London-centric Labour will fail to win power if he does not appeal to Britain's northern towns

  • McCluskey issued a warning to Corbyn at Unite's policy conference in Brighton 
  • He said Labour must reconnect to working class heartlands in the north 
  • Corbyn's Labour has failed to break clear in the polls despite Tory disarray   

By Tim Sculthorpe, Deputy Political Editor For Mailonline

Published: | Updated:

Unite leader Len McCluskey (file) warned Jeremy Corbyn his London-centric Labour was doomed to lose if it fails to appeal in the north

Unite leader Len McCluskey (file) warned Jeremy Corbyn his London-centric Labour was doomed to lose if it fails to appeal in the north

Red Len McCluskey warned Jeremy Corbyn his London-centric Labour was doomed to lose if it fails to appeal in the north.

The baron of the huge Unite union warned today there was a 'broader sense of disconnect' between the Labour leader and traditional working class areas.

And he said that despite disarray in the Tory Party and government, election victory next time was 'far from in the bag'.

The next election is due to be held in 2022 - but could come earlier if Theresa May's Government collapses in Brexit chaos or the PM stands aside for a successor. 

Speaking at Unite's policy conference in Brighton today, Mr McCluskey said he had a message for Mr Corbyn and others in the party leadership.

He said: 'We all know that the next election is far from in the bag. One problem is a weakness in some industrial areas outside the big cities, among older working-class voters in particular.

'There is a broader sense of disconnect between London and the often run-down and ignored industrial areas.

'Extra seats in London are not going to get Jeremy Corbyn into Downing Street. So test every policy against how it is going to play in Walsall and Wakefield, Mansfield and Middlesbrough, Glasgow and Gateshead.

'Put the necessity of decent secure jobs, skilled work, at the heart of everything. If you're talking about any policy which cuts against that, it is almost certainly a mistake.'

The baron of the huge Unite union warned today there was a 'broader sense of disconnect' between Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn (pictured in London on Saturday) and traditional working class areas

The baron of the huge Unite union warned today there was a 'broader sense of disconnect' between Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn (pictured in London on Saturday) and traditional working class areas

Mr McCluskey renewed his attack on Labour MPs criticising Mr Corbyn.

He demanded they 'put a sock in it' and added: 'The only people being served by the constant disloyal sniping, the feral smearing of our own party and leader, are the Tories.

The next election is due to be held in 2022 - but could come earlier if Theresa May's Government collapses in Brexit chaos or the PM stands aside for a successor

The next election is due to be held in 2022 - but could come earlier if Theresa May's Government collapses in Brexit chaos or the PM stands aside for a successor

'If you disagree with a particular policy, say so. Otherwise, try saying nothing.

'This wretched Tory Government is reeling and on the ropes. We have to be ready to be rid of them when the opportunity arises.'  

Growing support among working class voters has handed the Tories their biggest poll lead in a year, it emerged last month.

In a major boost to Mrs May, the Conservatives now boast a seven point lead over Labour.

It is the party’s biggest advantage since the general election a year ago in which Mrs May lost her Commons majority, and the fifth poll in a row to show the Tories with a poll lead of more than four points.

The poll also showed Mr Corbyn’s personal popularity ratings have plummeted.   

Jeremy CorbynLabourLondon

Most watched News videos