Labour-supporting unions foresee leadership change before next election
Keir Starmer is unlikely to lead the Labour party into the next general election, according to predictions from Labour-affiliated unions, signaling further instability for the prime minister following a challenging period.
Eleven Labour-affiliated unions, including Unite, Unison, and the GMB, are anticipated to release a joint statement on Wednesday indicating that "at some stage" the party must establish a plan to elect a new leader.
During a private meeting on Tuesday, union representatives were divided on whether to demand that Starmer provide a timetable for his departure, with one source describing a "big fight" among union officials, as reported by .
Despite differing opinions, the unions reportedly agreed to issue a statement expressing their expectation of a leadership change, although GMB and Community contended that it was not in the unions’ best interests to engage in leadership disputes.
In a leaked draft of the statement, the unions asserted that it was evident Labour "cannot continue on its current path," and while some progress has been made, the party has not done enough to deliver the change voters sought in the last election.
They called on party leadership to concentrate on the "fundamental change of direction on economic policy and political strategy" needed by working people, rather than focusing on the "personalities and unfolding political drama" at Westminster.
Starmer’s position weakened amid resignations and calls for leadership change
Starmer appeared to have survived an immediate challenge to his leadership on Tuesday after Wes Streeting’s anticipated bid failed to materialize, despite several of Streeting’s allies resigning from government positions.
However, the prime minister’s authority has been undermined by the resignation of four ministers—three of whom were close to Streeting—in what seemed to be a coordinated effort. Since the weekend, more than 90 Labour MPs have publicly called for Starmer to step down.
Following a turbulent few days, Starmer informed his cabinet that he intended to continue as prime minister and was hoping that his second king’s speech on Wednesday would serve as a reset moment to unify the deeply divided party.
Although he has survived for now, even his most loyal ministers privately acknowledge that unless he can significantly improve his and the government’s standing, he is unlikely to lead Labour into the next election.
Draft union statement emphasizes need for policy change and leadership transition
In the unions’ draft statement, expected to be published on Wednesday, the general secretaries wrote:
"Labour’s affiliated unions have been clear that Labour cannot continue on its current path.
Whilst we recognise progress has been made, such as aspects of the Employment Rights Act and the increase in the minimum wage, the results at the election last week were devastating.
Labour is not doing enough to deliver the change that working people voted for at the general election. Our focus is on the fundamental change of direction on economic policy and political strategy that unions have been clear is needed, and not on the personalities and unfolding political drama in Westminster."
"It’s clear that the prime minister will not lead Labour into the next election, and at some stage a plan will have to be put in place for the election of a new Leader.
This is a point where the future of the party we founded will be debated and determined – and we are working closely as unions to shape a shared vision on policy, political strategy and economic policy that will reorient Labour back to working people, so Labour do what it was elected to do: govern in the interests of workers."
Union frustrations and strained relations with Labour leadership
Union officials expressed frustration when Downing Street postponed a scheduled meeting of the Trade Union and Labour Party Liaison Organisation (TULO) on Tuesday, although talks were held nonetheless.
The relationship between the Labour leadership and the unions, which provide significant funding to the party, has become increasingly tense since Labour came to power, despite notable union victories on workers’ rights and the minimum wage.
Some union leaders have called for Starmer to resign. Unite’s Sharon Graham remarked that the "writing is on the wall" for the prime minister following last week’s election setbacks. Others have urged the party to prioritize its agenda for national change over internal leadership disputes.
