In a significant and unexpected result, Andrea Egan has been elected as the new general secretary of Unison, the United Kingdom's largest trade union. She defeated the incumbent, Christina McAnea, who had led the union since 2021.
A Clear Victory in the Ballot
The election, concluded on Wednesday 17 December 2025, saw Egan secure a decisive mandate from the membership. She received 58,579 votes, comfortably ahead of McAnea's 39,353 votes. This result marks a notable shift in leadership for the influential public sector union, which represents over a million workers.
Profile of the New Leader
Andrea Egan is positioned on the left of the Labour movement and has been a vocal critic of the current government since it took office last year. Her election signals a potential change in tone for Unison's engagement with Westminster. She is set to begin her five-year term next month, taking on the responsibility of advocating for public service workers across the UK.
Reaction and Acknowledgment
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer swiftly congratulated the victor. "Congratulations to Andrea Egan on her election as general secretary of Unison. I look forward to working with her," he stated. He also paid tribute to the outgoing leader, saying: "A huge thank you to Christina McAnea for her outstanding contribution to the Labour and trade union movement."
Starmer highlighted McAnea's key role in policy development, noting: "She played an important role in securing the landmark Employment Rights Bill and her work has ensured this Labour government will bring in a fair pay agreement to boost the wages of social care workers."
The transition of power at the helm of Unison is now set to take place, with the union's members and the wider political landscape watching closely to see how the new leadership will shape its future campaigns and relationship with the government.
