Mark Watts fails to get elected to NUJ branch post despite being the only candidate

Mark Watts, who accused the "NUJ Left" group of plotting to takeover the NUJ when he stood as a candidate for the editorship of the Journalist, has failed to get elected for a post in the union's London Freelance Branch - even though he was the only candidate.
Watts was standing to be the branch's chapel liaison officer but some members at last night's branch meeting claimed his campaigning for the Journalist post was too negative and had harmed the union. Watts argued he had done the union a service. It is thought unprecedented for a union member not to be elected for an unopposed position in the London Freelance Branch.
The vote was : In favour of Watts being elected unopposed: 23%; Abstentions: 23%; In favour of the post remaining empty: 54%.