Starmer Warned: Don't Take Our Union Votes For Granted

Trade union leaders have warned Sir Keir Starmer that Labour cannot take their members’ votes for granted in the upcoming general election if promises of a new package on rights have been betrayed.

The warning is an ominous message for Sir Keir despite Labour’s successes in the local elections last week, amid claims the party may struggle to form a majority. Splits have already emerged with some Labour voters either staying at home or backing alternative left-wing candidates over their leader’s support for Israel with the war in Gaza.

In an exclusive interview with The Independent, TUC president Matt Wrack, who is also general secretary of the Fire Brigades Union, revealed that he and other union leaders have arranged a crunch meeting with the Labour leader.

The meeting follows reports that Labour has “watered down” a policy document on workers’ rights, denied strongly by the party.

Mr Wrack told The Independent that he had been involved in consultation to put the document together.