The leader of one of the UK's largest teaching unions has endorsed Andy Burnham, describing him as Labour's strongest candidate to defeat Reform UK in a general election.
Union leader's warning on Reform
Matt Wrack, general secretary of the NASUWT, spoke to the Guardian ahead of Thursday's Makerfield byelection, where the Greater Manchester mayor aims to return to parliament and potentially launch a leadership bid. Wrack cautioned that a Reform government would be "devastating" for teachers and education, noting that his members have already faced hostility from Reform-led local councils. Reform councillors have refused to engage with union activists, accusing them of indoctrinating children and calling them "part of the problem."
"I think a Reform government would be devastating for teachers, devastating for education and devastating for trade unions, and very scary," Wrack said. "I'm not sure any of us have really come to terms with how far politics has shifted and what those risks actually mean."
Burnham as Labour's best hope
Wrack, who previously led the Fire Brigades Union for 20 years before taking over at NASUWT a year ago, said he has worked with Burnham before. "I suppose he's Labour's probable best chance of beating Reform in Makerfield. He would then be well placed to win a Labour leadership challenge, and I think he would be Labour's best chance of beating Reform in a general election."
After 14 years of Conservative austerity, Wrack argued that the public needs to see more substantial change from the current Labour government. He said Burnham as leader could not simply continue the same approach. "The situation cries out for some more robust change."
Concerns over education policy
Wrack highlighted that NASUWT members were shocked by a recent government white paper that maintained the expectation for all schools to join academy trusts—a policy inherited from the previous Conservative government. "People expected something different from the Labour government, and what we've got is a continuation of Tory policy on academisation." He expressed hope that Burnham would reverse this decision if he became prime minister.
He also voiced concerns about the government's planned overhaul of special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) provision. "I think there's a big risk for teachers in the SEND proposals. My fear is that teachers' voices haven't been listened to, and there's a risk that new expectations are placed on schools without adequate funding and resources." Wrack called for any future government, especially a Burnham-led one, to engage with frontline teachers when developing final plans.
Industrial action and defence spending
Wrack discussed potential industrial action over pay and a "vicious cycle of underfunding" in schools. He also expressed concern about the lack of public debate on additional funding for defence while education suffers. Speaking in a personal capacity, he said: "I find it galling that there's no debate on the issue, that it is simply presented as a debate that has already finished, even though it never took place."
