I have known Gawain for more than ten years, as a fellow National Executive member and local secretary. He believes in a strong member-led fighting union and has an impressive track record of planning, initiating and delivering campaigns that make a difference to the lives of our members and the children they teach. He has also been solid on fighting against racism and the rise of the far right.

Since Gawain became chair of the NEU International Committee, our international work has gone from strength to strength. He won me over to the idea of professional unity with vision, action and results.

Gawain is willing to stand up to bad employers and government alike and to put the interests of our members first. Most importantly, he has a strategy for our union to win – on pay, on workload and on professional issues. That’s why I’m backing Gawain for Deputy General Secretary of our union.

Dominic Byrne, Secretary, Barking & Dagenham District & National Executive member