New Unison leader says labour movement’s survival ‘on the line’ because Starmer’s ‘control freakery’ helping Reform UK
Andrea Egan, the new, leftwing general secretary of Unison, one of the most powerful unions in Labour politics, has claimed that the survival of the labour movement is “on the line” because of the mistakes being made by Keir Starmer.
In an article for Tribune, she is particularly critical of the decision to block Andy Burnham from being a byelection candidate in Gorton and Denton. But she argues that this is just part of a wider problem, and that a “radical change in direction” is needed from Downing Street.
She says:
Today in Britain, the first far-right government in our history is a very real prospect. Nigel Farage in power would be the biggest triumph for the enemies of the working class since his idol Margaret Thatcher took office almost five decades ago – and could make the 1980s look like an easy ride. It would be a global victory for a billionaire-backed ethnonationalist project represented by the administration of Donald Trump, whose contempt for democracy was so brutally demonstrated by the murder of intensive care nurse Alex Pretti by ICE agents.
For every worker, active trade unionist, or anyone who wants to live in an open and democratic society, the political stakes of the coming months and years are potentially existential. We are staring down the barrel of a historically devastating offensive against our class.
But from witnessing the recent behaviour of Labour’s ruling faction, you wouldn’t know it. Spearheaded from Downing Street, this narrow Westminster grouping often gives the impression it would rather hand the country over to Farage and put the labour movement’s survival on the line than consider any change in policy direction or lose the slightest control over the party machine.
Egan says the reasons given by Labour for Burnham being blocked were “an insult to the intelligence of anyone unfortunate enough to have read them”. She says:
One, at least, was revealing: the idea that the risk of losing the Greater Manchester mayoralty to Reform UK was too great. In other words, this Labour government is so unpopular that the party might well lose an election it won last time with 63 percent of the vote. The solution? Bar your most popular figure from returning to national politics.
She concludes:
I know that I speak for many of my colleagues across the trade union movement, and in chorus with a significant number of Labour MPs, when I say that we cannot allow those currently in charge of the party to take us down with them. A radical change in direction – in party culture, in policy for the country, in how we deal with the far-right threat – could not be more urgently needed. I am confident that a broad, pluralist coalition across our movement will now come together to ensure we see that change.
The prime minister should know that this latest act of control freakery was, above all else, a mistake. He cannot afford any more.
Key events
Labour risks election wipeout unless it improves Britain’s high streets, study finds
Labour will be “washed away in a tide of discontent” at the next general election unless it tackles the decline of Britain’s high streets, a study has warned, as Guardian analysis lays bare the changing face of town centres. Michael Goodier and Josh Halliday have the story.
PMQs – snap verdict
It is easy to criticise Keir Starmer and Kemi Badenoch at PMQs every week – some of us even do it for a living – but, as with other people performing a job regularly with millions watching (TV news reading is a good example), it is a lot harder than it looks. We knew that, but it is helpful to get a reminder. And that was the main takeaway from today.
Andrew Griffith was the unfortunate chap who ended up as the conduit of this lesson. He is shadow business secretary and, drafting his questions, he decided to use them to make some critical points about Labour’s record on business: that the pub rescue package announced yesterday is a bit weak, and won’t help other sectors with rising business rate costs; that Labour has made hiring young people more expensive, which is bad for youth unemployment; that Labour ministers in general have a blind spot when it comes to business, because most of them have never run a business themselves. All of these are solid points, that can easily be defended. But Griffith did not successfully land any of them. Question by question, he lost 6-0.
Quite why is a bit harder to explain. Partly, it was nerves and confidence (although he probably was no worse than other PMQs first-timers). Partly it was because his jokes were poor, and his deliveray worse; he got the most laughs unintentionally, when he declared the Conservative party was getting stronger. Partly it was because he could not find anything that particularly embarrassed Lammy personally. And partly it was because his script and delivery were just under-powered. In the chamber, you have to boil down a political message into just a few sentences, and make them sound novel and engaging. As I say, it’s harder than it looks.
Lammy got through it all easily, and he will be glad that he has now buried the memory of his first PMQs stand-in for Keir Starmer, which was a bit of a disaster. His jokes were a lot better than Griffith’s. But it was notable that he did not engage much with the specific arguments that his opponent was making, and this was not a performance that at any point made him sound more accomplished or authoritative than his boss.
Starmer says he is ‘focused on our national interest’ as he begins China visit
Keir Starmer told business delegates they were “making history” as he kicked off his trip to China, PA Media reports.
Addressing business figures in the lobby of their hotel in Beijing, the prime minister said:
They say eight days is a long time in politics, try eight years, because it’s eight years since a British prime minister stepped on Chinese soil.
On this delegation, you’re making history. You’re part of the change that we’re bringing about.
That’s consistent with everything we’ve done in government, particularly internationally.
We are resolute about being outward-looking, about taking opportunities, about building relationships … and always being absolutely focused on our national interest.
Bob Blackman (Con) says something described as a anti-zionist rally is taking place outside parliament today. Chants at these rallies are antisemitic, and the intention behind them is antisemitic. He says we have seen where that leads, with the killings in Manchester. Will the goverment drive antisemitism out of the country?
Lammy says he has worked on this with Blackman before. He says the nature of antisemitism at some of these protests is unacceptable.
Patricia Ferguson (Lab) asks if the government backs calls for the former first minister to give evidence to the Glasgow hospital infected water scandal inquiry.
Lammy says this is a huge scandal, and an example of why Scotland needs Anas Sarwar as first minister.
James McMurdock (independent) asks about a steel firm in his constituency. He says contracts are going offshore. Why is that?
Lammy says the government stepped in to save British Steel. And it will publish a steel strategy shortly.
Lee Anderson (Reform UK) says the TV was reporting yesterday Labour MPs were revolting. That is a matter of opinion, he says.
(MPs shout, ‘Where is your TV licence? Anderson has said he has not got one, despite being a GB News presenter.)
Lammy says he once campaigned with Anderson when he was Labour. It was said when he defected that he increased the average IQ both of the party he was leaving, and the party he was joining.
Sarah Olney (Lib Dem) asks about Iran. The US cannot show moral leadership. Will the UK step up and proscribe the IRGC (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps).
Lammy says it is long-standing policy not to say what bodies are about to be proscribed. But sanctions have been employed against Iran, and further measures are being considered, he says.
Melanie Onn (Lab) criticises what Donald Trump said about the armed forces. She asks what is being done to help homeless veterans.
Lammy says the government is dealing with homelessness amongst veterans, and he pays tribute to the valour of members of the armed forces.
Vicky Foxcroft (Lab) says reforms to the asylum system should support, not undermine, efforts to ensure that refugees get proper support.
Lammy says the goverment wants a proper asylum system. But that must involve making the system less attractive, he says.
John Lamont (Con) asks if Scottish Labour MPs are right to think their party will be slaughtered in the Scottish elections.
Lammy says Scots certainly won’t be voting Tory.
Richard Foord (Lib Dem) says his constituents in the south-west are under water. The government needs to invest more in flood defences there. Will Lammy invite JD Vance to a fishing trip there?
Lammy jokes that, if he does, this time he will get a licence. But he acknowledges this is a problem.
Alex Barros-Curtis (Lab) asks about funding for youth services in his Cardiff West constituency.
Lammy says a Labour government is making a difference for Wales.
Jim Allister (TUV) says now GB cars cannot be sold in Northern Ireland because of the post-Brexit rules in place. He asks what sort of government allows a foreign power to impose rules on its territory like this.
Lammy says he looked at this when he was foreign secretary. There is no evidence of serious disruption at the border, he says.
John Slinger (Lab) says Andrew Rossindell, the Tory who defected to Refom UK at the weekend, is on record as saying he would not mind replacing the NHS with an insurance system.
Lammy says Labour would never allow that.
Daisy Cooper, the deputy Lib Dem leader, says the Chinese are still holding Jimmy Lai in prison. But Keir Starmer has gone to China asking for a trade deal. What consequences will China face if they do not stop their campaign of espionage against the UK>
Lammy says China is too big to ignore. The UK has to engage, as countries like France and Canada are doing.
Cooper says Lammy could not name a single consequence China will face if they don’t stop spying on the UK. She says defence spending has to be ramped up now. Will the government consider the Lib Dem plan to raise £20bn through defence bonds.
Lammy says the goverment was spendinng 2.5% of GDP on defence when Labour left office. It was cut when the Lib Dems were in power with the Tories.
