Ed plans moves to weaken the union vote

The FT's Jim Pickard reveals that Labour leader Ed Miliband plans to reduce union influence over leadership contests.

Writing on the paper's Westminster blog,he says that

"Miliband wants to set up a “registered supporters scheme” allowing thousands of people to vote in future leadership elections. Their votes will be cast within the “affiliated organisations” section, which comprises a third of the total vote."

According to Jim,

"The obvious symbolism is that this is a dilution of the brothers’ power. As no one will ever forget, Ed won the leadership after the main unions clubbed together in his favour in a transparent attempt to thwart his elder brother." and he adds that

Miliband will get rid of the discredited system that allows people to have one more vote in leadership elections. If you belong to eight unions and the Fabian society, for example, that would currently give you nine votes. This is being swept away.