Charlie Alford

Unite – no ballots to Gibraltar members as Graham faces international officer rival

Post author:Skwawkbox
Post published:31 July 2026
Post last modified:31 July 2026

With just twelve days remaining of the Unite general secretary contest, the union has failed to deliver ballots to any of its members in Gibraltar. Incumbent Sharon Graham has been heavily criticised for her treatment of union staff. Her rival in the election is Simon Dubbins, Unite’s international officer. Unite say: ‘tough luck’ An email from the union to Gibraltar members blames Spanish postal services for the non-delivery. And it indicates that, even if members don’t receive ballots in time to post them back to the UK before the 11 August deadline, then tough: Dear Member, GENERAL SECRETARY ELECTION – GIBRALTAR…

Chancellor wants military officer with him at Treasury

Post author:PHIL MILLER
Post published:30 July 2026
Post last modified:30 July 2026

John Healey’s request has sparked fears about the military having too much influence over UK finances Britain’s new chancellor John Healey has asked for a military officer to accompany him at the Treasury, it has emerged. The move indicates how much weight Healey will place on weapons procurement after resigning as defence secretary last month in protest at Keir Starmer’s military spending plans. Chancellors do not normally have a serving military officer assigned to their private office, with the placements typically reserved for the prime minister and defence ministers. However, Healey has requested an army major, naval lieutenant commander or air…

Blackpool council Reform leader exposed as BAE Systems officer, uniparty warmonger

Post author:Cameron Baillie
Post published:2 July 2026
Post last modified:2 July 2026

The Canary can reveal that Reform UK’s leader in Blackpool Council is an ‘officer’ employed at BAE Systems. BAE is a weapons manufacturer heavily implicated in the Gaza genocide and other war crimes. Reform’s Blackpool Council group leader is James John (‘Jim’) O’Neill, 69. He was elected as Blackpool’s first Reform councillor in 2024, taking the Marston ward from Labour. He states his employment on his sparsely detailed Register of Interests on Blackpool Council’s website as: “Officer, BAE Systems.” O’Neill was outside BAE’s Samlesbury manufacturing plant informing policing operations and notifying anti-genocide blockaders of “trespass” in the early hours of 29 June.…