Keir Starmer has suffered another huge blow this morning after one of Labour's most loyal financial backers was taken over by the hard left. The Unison union, which has been relatively supportive of Keir Starmer, saw left-winger Andrea Egan win its general secretary election this morning.
Ms Egan, who ran on a radical platform of threatening to withdraw funding from Labour MPs, romped home with 60% of the vote. She beat rival Christina McAnea, the incumbent who has been largely supportive of the Prime Minister. The move is a huge blow to Sir Keir, who now risks losing millions in potential donations unless he moves Labour further to the left.
Ms Egan, who was expelled as a Labour member in 2022, ran on a platform of launching a "comprehensive review" of Unison's relationship with Labour.
She is also threatening to withdraw funding from Labour MPs who "fail to stand against welfare cuts and other attacks on members' living standards and policies".
Speaking during the election, she attacked Unison for failing to "operate the way that it should do".
"We've got a link with Labour, but that doesn't mean we should continue to be subservient and not afraid to be public about defending our members, right?"
Ms Egan has also spoken positively about Jeremy Corbyn's new Your Party, warning that many Unison members will "see the possibility of a viable alternative to Labour for the first time".
Mr Corbyn welcomed her election, saying: "See you on the picket line."
Unison gave Labour a whopping £1.5 million during last year's general election campaign.
Speaking following her seismic win this morning, Ms Egan vowed to "stand up to any employer or politician who acts against our interests."
She added: "This result means ordinary Unison members are at long last taking charge of our union.
"We will put faith in members' decisions and stand up to any employer, politician or Cabinet minister who acts against our interests.
"Together, we will turn Unison into the remarkable force for change it should be. That journey has begun today."
