Andrea Egan, General Secretary of UNISON, photographed at UNISON HQ on Euston Road, London. March 2026.
Commenting on the election results for councils in England and devolved assemblies in Scotland and Wales, UNISON general secretary Andrea Egan said:
“Labour faces political oblivion because it’s simply not delivering for the majority of people.
“There’ll clearly be a change of Labour leader sooner or later. But what really needs to change is the fundamental approach: only a Labour government which unashamedly puts the interests of workers before the wealthy can succeed.
“That means taxing the super-rich to repair public services, guaranteeing workers are paid their fair share, and ending the outsourcing racket by bringing public services back under public ownership.
“Reform claims to oppose the elite, but all that’s offered is more of the same. Attacks on workers and migrants, backed by billionaire funders.
“So whenever and wherever the party gains power, life will become more difficult for public sector workers and all ordinary folk.
“UNISON won’t tolerate political attacks on members from Reform-run local councils. If Reform comes for our jobs, pensions, pay or conditions, it’ll face the full force of the union.
“We will also continue to stand with our migrant members, facing a crackdown on their rights and bearing the brunt of rising intolerance.
“Reform poses an unprecedented threat to the union movement. It couldn’t be more urgent for Labour to stop playing on Farage’s pitch and start rebuilding a progressive majority based on real labour values.”