Union Leadership Result A Blow For Keir Starmer

Keir Starmer has been dealt another huge blow after one of his closest trade allies was deposed as leader of a leading trade union.

Christine McAnea was defeated by the left-winger Andrea Egan, who was kicked out of the Labour Party in 2022.

In a major shock, Egan received nearly 60% of the vote and will take over from McAnea next month.

The result will shift the balance of power on Labour’s ruling national executive committee (NEC), making it harder for Starmer and his supporters to control.

A senior Labour source said the result was an “absolute fucking disaster – a massive loss for Keir”.

Another party insider said: “It’s terrible. The biggest trade union in the country has gone to the hard left for the first time ever.

“It will probably mean waves of strikes across the public sector, causing misery to anyone in need of social care services ,for example.”

Labour MP Karl Turner told HuffPost UK said McAnea’s defeat was linked to worsening relations between Downing Street chief of staff Morgan McSweeney and the Parliamentary Labour Party.

He said: “When you outsource the management of the PLP to unelected office staff you end up losing control of everything else.”

A Labour source said: “The No.10 gang need to stop with all this glorifying in punching down on Labour and trade union members.

“If you don’t tend to your flock no wonder they abandon you.”

Egan, who was expelled for sharing articles on social media from Socialist Appeal, an organisation banned by Labour, has said she will look again at the financial relationship between Unison and the party.

Last year, Unison gave Labour £1.49 million, making it the party’s largest union donor.

Egan said: “This result means ordinary Unison members are at long last taking charge of our union.

“We will put faith in members’ decisions and stand up to any employer, politician or Cabinet minister who acts against our interests.

“Together, we will turn Unison into the remarkable force for change it should be. That journey has begun today.”

The result was welcomed by the Mainstream campaign group, which is closely aligned to Andy Burnham, who has made little secret of his desire to replace Starmer as Labour leader and PM.

“This result shows clearly that vast swathes of Labour’s historic coalition feel the government has fallen out of step with its mainstream,” the group said.

“By working hand in hand with our partners in the trade union movement, the Labour Party has ushered in huge advances for working people before and it can do so again – but only if the party rediscovers its progressive instincts.

“We look forward to working with Andrea and all those who share our commitment to a more open Labour Party with the energy and ideas to transform the country.”

Starmer said: “Congratulations to Andrea Egan on her election as General Secretary of Unison. I look forward to working with her.”