Sir Keir Starmer has been dealt a significant political blow after one of Labour's most powerful union backers elected a left-wing critic to its top job.
Election result delivers shock for Labour leadership
Andrea Egan secured a decisive victory in the race to become the new General Secretary of Unison, the UK's largest public sector union. The result was announced on Wednesday, 17 December 2025. Egan defeated the incumbent, Christina McAnea, who was considered a key ally of the Labour leader, by a substantial margin of 59.8% to 40.1% of the vote.
Ms Egan, who is due to take up her post in January 2026, was previously expelled from the Labour Party in 2022. Her campaign included a central pledge to conduct a thorough review of Unison's financial support for Labour, a move that could have profound implications for the party's funding.
Implications for Starmer and Labour's internal balance
The election outcome presents an immediate headache for Sir Keir Starmer's leadership. Unison is not only a major donor but also holds influence on Labour's ruling National Executive Committee (NEC). Egan's victory could shift the internal balance of power within the party's structures, potentially emboldening the left wing.
In her victory statement, Andrea Egan focused on the challenges facing public sector workers. "We public sector workers are on the frontlines of chronic underfunding, low pay, and outsourcing," she said. "We bear the brunt of it all. UNISON’s central task is to change that reality - our reality."
She framed her win as a moment for union members to take charge. "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," Egan stated.
What happens next for the Labour-union relationship?
The changing of the guard at Unison marks a pivotal moment in the often complex relationship between the Labour Party and the trade union movement. The promised review of funding will be closely watched by Westminster, as it may signal a more conditional or critical form of support from a traditionally loyal affiliate.
Sir Keir Starmer now faces the task of navigating this new dynamic with one of his party's most significant institutional backers. The loss of a staunch ally in Christina McAnea and the arrival of a figure previously expelled from the party sets the stage for a potentially more contentious chapter in Labour-union relations as the country moves closer to a general election.
