The UK's largest trade union, Unison, has elected a new left-wing leader who was expelled from the Labour Party, setting the stage for a potential rift with Sir Keir Starmer's leadership.
A Decisive Victory for the Left
In a result announced on Wednesday morning, Andrea Egan was elected as Unison's next general secretary. She secured a commanding victory, winning just under 60% of the members' votes. She defeated the incumbent, Christina McAnea, who has held the position since 2021 and maintained a close relationship between the union and the Labour leadership.
Expulsion and a Potential Collision Course
Egan, who was on the left of the Labour Party, was expelled in 2022. The party stated this was due to her sharing articles on social media from Socialist Appeal, an organisation proscribed by Labour. At the time, Egan argued the decision "does nothing to support" unity between Labour and the unions, with supporters decrying it as part of a witch-hunt against leftwingers.
Her election marks a significant shift in Unison's political direction. As one of Labour's biggest financial backers, the union could now follow the path of another major union, Unite, in scaling back donations and even considering formal disaffiliation from Starmer's party.
Implications for Labour and Union Links
The leadership change, which takes effect when Egan succeeds McAnea next month, places a critical relationship under strain. Unison's financial and organisational support has been a cornerstone of Labour's resources. Egan's victory signals a potential re-alignment, where the union may adopt a more critical and independent stance towards the Labour leadership under Starmer.
This development underscores the ongoing tensions within the broader Labour movement, between the party's current centrist direction and the more traditional socialist roots of some of its largest affiliated unions.
