Keir Starmer faced a setback as a progressive candidate, Andrea Egan, secured victory in the election for Unison General Secretary, one of Labour’s primary union supporters. Egan’s win with close to 60% of the vote marked the end of Christina McAnea’s leadership, a staunch ally of Starmer who maintained a strong connection between the union and the Labour Party.
The outcome of the election presents a challenge for Labour, as Egan, who was expelled from the party in 2022, campaigned on a platform to reassess Unison’s ties with Labour, potentially altering the dynamics within Labour’s National Executive Committee.
Unison, the largest trade union in the UK with approximately 1.3 million members primarily from the NHS, care, and public sector entities, holds significant influence within the Labour Party and is among its major financial contributors.
Egan’s pledge to conduct a thorough review of the union’s relationship with the Labour Party to ensure alignment with democratically agreed-upon policies and maximize impact resonated with members. This shift comes amidst previous threats from Unite, another major Labour supporter, to sever its association with the party.
In her statement following the election, Egan emphasized the need to address challenges faced by public sector workers, expressing determination to empower members and advocate for their interests against any opposing forces. Egan, a social worker from Bolton, committed to forgoing the General Secretary’s salary and aligning with the wage of a social worker.
Starmer extended congratulations to Egan on her new role, appreciating McAnea’s efforts in advancing labor rights and fair pay agreements during her tenure. Hollie Ridley, Labour Party’s General Secretary, also commended McAnea’s contributions and welcomed Egan’s election, expressing optimism for collaboration in achieving the goals set forth by the Labour Party.