GRAHAME MORRIS was set to be elected as the new chairman of the general union Unite’s parliamentary group last night.

The Easington MP was widely tipped to take over the leadership of the group of MPs from Bolton North East MP David Crausby.

Mr Crausby has been chairman since Unite was formed from a merger of the Transport and General Workers Union and Amicus in 2007.

As well providing a fresh face for the group, Mr Morris is expected to move it to the left and ensure it plays a more active campaigning role.

A source close to Unite said yesterday that there would be a “significant shift” in the group’s direction.

“Grahame was the consensus candidate for the role because of his diligence in Parliament,” the source told the Star.

“He has a reputation for hard graft and being a good represenative. He’s also progressive and on the left, so this is a welcome step.”

Mr Morris worked as a medical laboratory officer before becoming an MP and also served as secretary of the health service branch of the ASTMS, one of Unite’s predecessor unions.

Elections for other positions on the group’s executive were expected to be contested.

Shadow Cabinet Office minister Lisa Nandy was seeking re-election to the committee, while two new MPs with Unite backgrounds were set to stand.

Rachel Maskell was Unite’s head of health before entering Parliament, while Kate Osamor was an NHS practice manager and Unite activist.

Unite’s executive committee also met to discuss the Labour Party leadership contest yesterday following the Unions Together hustings in London on Tuesday.

No decision was reached about which, if any, candidate the union should support and talks will continue this week.

Andy Burnham had been seen as the obvious choice, but Jeremy Corbyn has significant support among the union’s grassroots.

Writing on Labour List yesterday, Mr Corbyn promised the party would end the public-sector pay freeze and legalise secure workplace strike ballots under his leadership.

The left candidate also promised to “put the trade union link ahead of short-term media demands.”