"The Amicus Unity Gazette Editorial Board would like to thank Laurence Faircloth for the principled position he has taken in withdrawing his candidature for the election of Amicus Section Joint General Secretary. This was done in consultation with the Editorial Board following a review of the campaign after the closure of nominations. Although Laurence had received sufficient nominations to stand in the election, it was clear that he had not won enough support to mount a credible challenge.

Having reviewed the nomination figures, the assessment of the Editorial Board is that Jerry Hicks and Paul Reuter do not stand a realistic chance of winning, and therefore the members are faced with a stark choice between Derek Simpson and Kevin Coyne. Derek Simpson is the incumbent JGS and will retire in two years; Kevin Coyne is the darling of the anti-Union Murdoch press and is being lined up as the right wing candidate of the future. Voting for Derek Simpson is by far the better option for the Left.

This statement was agreed by a majority vote on the Gazette Editorial Board. We recognise that there are people on the Editorial Board and among our rank and file members who now want to support Jerry. In view of this, and in view of the difficulties in convening a properly constituted Gazette supporters meeting to resolve the issue before the election, we accept that we cannot seek to impose this decision through the discipline of the Left. Nonetheless, it is the recommendation of the majority of the Editorial Board.