Andrea Egan’s Shock Win Signals a New Direction for Britain’s Biggest Union
So, there’s a major political and trade union story unfolding right now, and it centres on Andrea Egan and her surprise victory at the top of Unison, the UK’s largest trade union. This result has sent clear ripples through Westminster and has been widely seen as a setback for Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and his allies.
Andrea Egan, a left-wing union figure who was expelled from the Labour Party three years ago, has been elected as Unison’s new general secretary. She defeated Christina McAnea, the incumbent leader and a close ally of Starmer, securing just under 60% of the vote. Although turnout was relatively low, with fewer than 100,000 members participating out of Unison’s 1.3 million-strong membership, the message behind the result has been unmistakable.
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During her campaign, Egan made it clear that she was not interested in offering unconditional support to the Labour government. It was repeatedly said that Labour’s “feet would be held to the fire,” and that the union would no longer hand out “blank cheques” to politicians. After her victory, she reinforced that stance, saying that ordinary Unison members were finally taking charge of their union and that she would stand up to any employer, politician, or cabinet minister who acted against their interests.
Despite the defeat of his ally, Sir Keir Starmer publicly struck a conciliatory tone. He congratulated Egan on her win and praised Christina McAnea for her years of service, particularly highlighting her role in pushing through the Employment Rights Bill and efforts to improve pay for social care workers. Still, behind the scenes, it has been acknowledged that McAnea’s loss weakens Labour’s grip on its powerful National Executive Committee, where Unison holds two key seats.
Egan’s background adds another layer to the story. She was expelled from Labour in 2022 for sharing articles linked to a Marxist group, a move that at the time sparked accusations of a purge of left-wing voices. Under party rules, she cannot apply to rejoin until 2027. Her election has been celebrated by figures on the Labour left, including Jeremy Corbyn and his new political group, Your Party, who described the result as a rejection of austerity, low pay, and underfunded public services.
With both Unison and Unite now led by leaders critical of the government, pressure is expected to grow on Labour from the trade union movement. Some believe this shift could even influence future candidate selections and internal party dynamics. As Egan prepares to begin her five-year term in January, one thing feels clear: the relationship between Labour and its biggest union has entered a far more challenging and unpredictable phase.
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