Keir Starmer faces a setback as a left-leaning candidate, Andrea Egan, triumphs in the election to lead Unison, one of Labour’s major union supporters. Egan secured nearly 60% of the vote, defeating Christina McAnea, a close ally of Starmer who has headed the union since 2021.
The outcome of the election presents a challenge for Labour, as Egan, who was expelled from the party in 2022, has pledged to reassess Unison’s ties with Labour. With over 1.3 million members, Unison is the largest trade union in the UK, predominantly representing workers in the NHS, care, and public sector. Egan’s victory may also impact the dynamics of Labour’s National Executive Committee.
Egan’s campaign focused on conducting a thorough review of the union’s relationship with Labour to ensure alignment with democratically agreed-upon policies. This stance echoes concerns raised by Unite, another major Labour supporter, regarding potential disassociation from the party.
In her statement following the election, Egan emphasized the need to address issues such as underfunding and low pay faced by public sector workers. She expressed a commitment to empowering union members and advocating for their interests against any opposing forces.
Notably, Egan, a social worker from Bolton, has vowed to forgo the General Secretary salary and accept only a social worker’s wage. Her previous expulsion from Labour was due to sharing content from the proscribed group Socialist Appeal, and she has since shown support for Your Party, a left-wing initiative led by Jeremy Corbyn.
Starmer extended his congratulations to Egan on her new role, acknowledging McAnea’s contributions to the Labour and trade union movement. Hollie Ridley, General Secretary of the Labour Party, also praised McAnea’s dedication to workers’ rights and highlighted her role in advancing social care initiatives. Ridley expressed optimism about collaborating with Egan to uphold Labour values and deliver positive change.