Unite Union Declines Endorsement for Labour Deputy Leadership Candidates

Unite, Britain's largest trade union with over 1.2 million members, has declined to support either of the Labour Party's deputy leadership candidates, Bridget Phillipson and Lucy Powell, criticizing both as inadequate to bring the change needed within the party. Unite General Secretary Sharon Graham described the deputy leadership race as irrelevant and emphasized that Labour must deliver real change through significant investment in infrastructure and public services, a pay rise for workers, and an end to private profiteering driving inflation. This stance highlights a growing rift between Labour and its traditional union supporters, with Unite previously reviewing its financial ties with the party and suspending Angela Rayner, the former deputy leader, over her position on Birmingham bin strikes. Meanwhile, other major unions such as GMB and Unison have endorsed Phillipson, supporting her bid to replace Rayner amid a broader leadership challenge within Labour, including potential opposition from Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham. Unite's refusal to endorse reflects wider dissatisfaction among workers who feel Labour has failed to address their concerns, signaling potential challenges for the party ahead of its annual conference. The union's call for different economic policies and leadership underscores ongoing tensions as Labour navigates internal divisions and external pressures.