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Andrea Egan, a vocal critic of Sir Keir Starmer, has been elected as the next general secretary of Unison, the UK’s biggest trade union, in a fresh blow for No 10.
In a vote of union members, Ms Egan defeated incumbent Christina McAnea by 60% to 40%, on a turnout of 7%, it was announced on Wednesday. She will take up her post in January.
Her election will significantly weaken Sir Keir’s support on Labour’s ruling National Executive Committee, and could see the union’s funding for the party reduced.
Unison, which has over 1.4 million members, donated £1.49m to the Labour last year, and is the party’s largest union donor.
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Ms Egan, who was expelled from Labour in 2022, has vowed to end Unison’s “subservient” relationship with the party.
She has promised to launch “a “comprehensive review of our relationship with the Labour Party”, as well as oppose funding for Labour MPs and candidates who “fail to stand against welfare cuts and other attacks on our members’ living standards and policies”.
In her manifesto, Ms Egan also said that the founding of Your Party by former Labour leader and left-wing MP Zarah Sultana means that many union members “see the possibility of a viable alternative to Labour for the first time”. She said she would “make clear to this Labour government what our members expect and the consequences for failing to meet those expectations”.
Your Party welcomed Ms Egan’s election as leader, saying in a statement: “Andrea’s victory on an anti-austerity ticket shows that working-class people won’t take more cuts and more decline.
“Unison members have said no to Starmer’s crumbs off the table, no to chronic low pay, no to underfunding and no to privatisation. It really is time for real change.”
Ms Egan’s election could also be significant as growing numbers within Labour debate whether to keep Sir Keir as leader, or replace him in a bid to boost the party’s derisory position in the national polls.
In an interview with Politics Home earlier this month, Ms Egan criticised the prime minister, saying Labour under his leadership was “not connected to working people”. She also suggested she could back Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham to take his place.
“I am a fan of Andy. I mean, he’s the King of the North!” she told the magazine. Although Mr Burnham would first need to be elected to parliament to be able to become leader.
Mainstream, a Labour grouping backed by Mr Burnham, has welcomed Ms Egan’s election as Unison general secretary, saying: “This result shows clearly that vast swathes of Labour’s historic coalition feel the government has fallen out of step with its mainstream.
“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.”
Egan, pictured in 2021, was expelled from Labour the following year. Pic: ANL/Shutterstock
Despite her criticisms of him, Sir Keir was quick to congratulate Ms Egan, writing on X: “Congratulations to @Andrea4GS on her election as general secretary of UNISON. I look forward to working with her.”
He also paid tribute to Ms McAnea for her “outstanding contribution to the Labour and trade union movement”, and playing an “important role in securing the landmark Employment Rights Bill”, which passed both Houses of Parliament on Tuesday.
