The leader of Britain’s largest trade union has warned Andy Burnham against appointing Ed Miliband as Chancellor, sending a clear message to the newly elected Makerfield MP.
Sharon Graham, General Secretary of Unite, has urged Labour to support a return to North Sea oil drilling. She also called on the former Greater Manchester Mayor not to back away from Keir Starmer’s plans to ease electric car sales targets.
Burnham has been linked with potentially making Energy Secretary Miliband his Chancellor if he were to replace Starmer and become Prime Minister.
But Graham has strongly criticised Miliband, arguing the former Labour leader shows “little concern for jobs, skills and national security.”
Speaking to The Times, Graham said: “It’s no secret that I disagree with Ed on nearly every issue involving workers’ transition.
“Ed appears focused on only one side of the debate, pushing Britain toward net zero without properly considering jobs, skills or national security.
“In my view, a Labour Chancellor must have a vision that values Britain’s workforce, develops those skills, and sees the country as an industrial powerhouse rather than weakening key industries.
“Investing in British industry should be an obvious priority. Anyone who fails to understand the importance of where goods are made and produced should not be Chancellor.”
Starmer is facing growing pressure to outline his exit plans from Downing Street after Burnham secured a decisive win in the Makerfield by-election.
The Prime Minister has repeatedly said he will fight off any leadership challenge, insisting he will not “walk away.”
However, Burnham’s victory has encouraged more Labour backbenchers and senior party figures to call for Starmer to step aside.
Among his critics is Graham, who said Starmer “must do the right thing and step down.”
Meanwhile, Steve Wright, General Secretary of the Fire Brigades Union, said Labour must urgently change course following Burnham’s win.
He said: “FBU members continue to deal with severe underfunding of the fire service because of political decisions.
“Keir Starmer has continued the failed Tory approach of cutting spending in the hope of building a better future, a strategy that has badly failed working-class communities for more than 15 years.
“Andy Burnham now has a mandate to challenge Nigel Farage and move away from austerity by taxing the super-rich to properly fund public services and support workers.”
Maryam Eslamdoust, General Secretary of the TSSA rail union, added: “Andy Burnham’s victory sends a clear message that Labour needs a new direction at the top.
“Voters rejected far-right politics and backed a candidate strongly supported by the labour movement.
“This result came through a major trade union-backed campaign that offered hope to local communities.”
Andrea Egan, General Secretary of Unison, said Burnham’s win was significant, adding: “It proves the public are not being misled by divisive far-right tactics and shows Farage and his allies can be beaten.”
