Union leaders issue new leadership ultimatum to Starmer
Leaders of some of the UK’s biggest unions have handed Sir Keir Starmer a fresh ultimatum just days after he survived an attempt to oust him from power.
Demanding that it change course or risk electoral disaster, Unite and Unison warn that the party’s current course is undermining “both public confidence and its ability to win elections”. They say they will meet with relevant MPs to “reverse this damaging behaviour”.
Unions, which have donated millions of pounds to the party, also reacted to Sir Keir’s decision to block his rival Andy Burnham’s return to Westminster in this month’s by-election.
The warning came just hours after Sir Keir was forced to deny he was almost “overthrown” by his own MPs in a failed coup this week.
His government was plunged into crisis two weeks ago when the extent of contact between former British Ambassador to Washington Lord Peter Mandelson and pedophile Jeffrey Epstein was revealed. Since then, the Prime Minister has lost three of his most senior staff and faces a struggle to remain in office himself.
On Saturday, as he attended the Munich Security Conference with other world leaders, he emphasized that he finished last week “stronger” than he started it.
But now union leaders and Labor MPs have written to the party’s deputy leader, Lucy Powell, demanding a change of direction.
As well as Mr Burnham, they also hit out at Sir Keir’s decision to suspend Labor MPs for “defending their constituents”. Labor has in the past stripped MPs of the power to vote to oppose other policies such as the removal of the two-child allowance limit and benefit cuts.
Unison general secretary Andrea Egan said: “The closure of party democracy has contributed to the government’s unpopularity and failure to improve living standards. The rebuilding of the coalition needed to stop reform must start with a more open and democratic culture in the party.”
Richard Burgon, a Labor MP and one of the statement’s co-ordinators, said: “Under Keir Starmer and Morgan McSweeney (his now-departed chief of staff), restrictions have been placed on the democratic rights of Labor members. This has led to a small cabal of people making unannounced decisions, leaving the prime minister and government deeply unlikable, from the confusion over Winter Fuel payments to the disastrous decision to make Peter Mandelson US Ambassador.”
“We urgently need an end to this disgusting factionalism coming from the top of the Party, where the views of Labor members and unionists are belittled.”
FBU general secretary Steve Wright said: “Firefighters know what happens when decisions are made without listening to those on the front line. Restoring democracy in Labor is essential if it is to reconnect with its members, its unions and the communities it exists to serve.”
The group, which includes more than 25 Labor MPs, said in a statement: “It is becoming increasingly clear that a narrow, factional agenda is being imposed on the party and that this is becoming less and less popular with the public.
“This approach is wrong in principle and damaging in practice. When it sidelines Labor members, it weakens Labour’s roots in our communities, alienates voters and undermines Labor’s ability to win both public trust and elections.
“We will work together to strengthen our democracy and reverse this damaging behavior.”
A Labor spokesman said: “Labour is proud to be supported by our brilliant party members as we work to deliver the vital change we were elected to deliver.
“Our Labor Government is delivering for families across the country, including tackling the cost of living, shortening NHS waiting lists and restoring pride in local communities.”
