Unite’s Sharon Graham challenged: condemn homophobic Robinson supporter on her EC slate

Unite general secretary Sharon Graham has been challenged by opponents to condemn far-right posts by a member of her ‘slate’ in the ongoing elections for Unite’s executive council (EC). Graham is herself fighting for re-election later this year.

Graham supporter Kenny Dinsdale’s posts supporting neo-fascist ‘Tommy Robinson’, along with homophobic social media comments, have been exposed by the ‘Reunite the union’ group. The group describes itself as a:

new platform for members, reps, officers, organisers, and staff who see the need to end the divisions in our union and set a new direction for our future.

Enemy of the slate

Dinsdale posted in 2018 about his delight at the release of hate-inciter Robinson won an appeal against one of his numerous criminal convictions:

Dinsdale also posted his disgust at entering a London gay bar in what he described as ‘rainbow country’ — and how he ‘bolted’ on realising where he was:

In its call for Graham to condemn her supporter’s racism and homophobia, Reunite the Union said:

Whether Dinsdale stands by or apologises for his comments (made in 2018), this exposes the central problem that Graham’s slate of candidates have all been chosen with one quality in mind: loyalty to Sharon Graham. It would have been wiser to find out what else her candidates believe.

This also exposes the danger of Sharon Graham’s silence on Reform and the far-right. It has now been a month since Reform declared war on workers with their intention of attacking our members’ working and equalities protections. We are now two months from the far-right attack on our own union’s office in Southampton. Graham’s silence on both continues.

Graham’s silence has repercussions. Failing to challenge the far right now appears to extend to supporting an EC candidate who cheers for Tommy Robinson. This is not acceptable.

There can be no place in our union for homophobia.

There can be no place in our union for the hate espoused by Tommy Robinson.

Graham is fighting for control of Unite’s EC, many of whose members have frequently condemned her cover-ups and lack of transparency. Those hoping for Graham to do the right thing might be well advised not to hold their breath.

Unite — toxic and bullying environment

In 2022, one of her leading supporters was found — by Unite — to have posted racist comments. Yet the union, by then run by Graham, refused to take action against him. In 2023, another supporter’s racist posts were exposed. Graham denied even knowing him, despite photos of them arm-in-arm and her central place in his EC election campaign.

Graham is currently facing yet more strike action over the “toxic” and bullying environment workers say she and her husband, who has a senior position under her, have created. Staff working under Graham’s husband, Jack Clarke, previously went on strike over their complaints of bullying and misogyny — at least three and probably four of five female members of staff in Clarke’s ‘BDSU’ unit quit. But the workers accused the union’s management, run by Graham, of abuse, lawfare and union-busting tactics.

The union’s lawyers admitted that Unite had destroyed evidence, gathered by mostly women workers in an earlier major complaint against Clarke — who was on a final warning from the union before being promoted, outside the usual union procedures, to run the newly-created BDSU after Graham took over.

And workers on strike in the second dispute said that staff working for Graham even staged a counter-demo against their picket.

So, maybe don’t hold your breath, even though Skwawkbox understands formal complaints have gone in.

Featured image via author