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UK's largest union elects leftwinger who was expelled from Labour
Andrea Egan to become Unison general secretary, succeeding Christina McAnea, who has close links to Keir Starmer
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2025/dec/17/uk-largest-union-elects-leftwinger-expelled-from-labour-andrea-egan
The UK’s largest trade union, Unison, is on a potential collision course with Labour after it ousted a general secretary with close links to Keir Starmer in favour of a leftwinger who was expelled from the party three years ago.
In a result announced on Wednesday morning, Andrea Egan was elected as Unison’s general secretary, winning just under 60% of members’ votes, against Christina McAnea, who has been general secretary since 2021 and has kept the union close to Labour.
The change of leadership when Egan takes over next month could result in Unison, one of Labour’s biggest donors, following another major union, Unite, in scaling back contributions and considering formal disaffiliation from Starmer’s party.
Egan, a social workers with decades of union experience, who was on the left of Labour, was expelled in 2022 after the party said she had shared articles on social media from Socialist Appeal, an organisation banned by Labour. The decision prompted accusations of a witch-hunt against leftwingers, while Egan said the move “does nothing to support” unity among Labour and unions.
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