In a significant and unexpected shift for the UK's labour movement, Andrea Egan has been elected as the new General Secretary of Unison, the country's biggest trade union. The result, announced on Wednesday 17 December 2025, saw Egan defeat the incumbent leader, Christina McAnea, who had held the position since 2021.
A Decisive Victory in the Ballot
The election concluded with a clear mandate for change. Andrea Egan secured 58,579 votes, comfortably ahead of Christina McAnea, who received 39,353 votes. This decisive margin signals a notable shift in sentiment among the union's public service worker membership. Egan is now set to commence her five-year term in office next month, taking on the responsibility of representing millions of workers across the UK.
Political Alignment and Reaction
Egan is recognised as a figure on the left of the Labour movement and has been a vocal critic of the government since it took office last year. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer was quick to respond to the result, offering his congratulations to Egan and stating he looked forward to working with her. He also paid tribute to the outgoing leader, thanking Christina McAnea for her "outstanding contribution" and highlighting her key role in securing the landmark Employment Rights Bill and advancing fair pay for social care workers.
The political grouping Mainstream, which supports Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, interpreted the result as a message to the government. They stated it showed "vast swathes of Labour’s historic coalition feel the Government has fallen out of step with its mainstream." The group expressed a hope to work with Egan and called for the Labour Party to rediscover its progressive instincts to transform the country.
What This Means for Unison and the Labour Movement
This leadership change at the helm of the UK's most powerful trade union marks a pivotal moment. Egan's election, stemming from a clear left-wing platform and criticism of the current Labour government, suggests a potential for a more assertive stance in upcoming negotiations and political discourse. The union's direction under its new leader will be closely watched, as it seeks to champion public service workers' rights and pay in the years ahead. The result underscores the dynamic and sometimes challenging relationship between the Labour Party and its affiliated unions.
