The Unite union has voted to keep their historic links with the Labour Party, but warned there will be “no blank cheques” for Sir Keir Starmer and urged him to “deliver on jobs, pay and conditions.”
On Monday General secretary Sharon Graham told Unite’s conference in Brighton that delegated had “overwhelmingly” voted to remain affiliated with Labour.
Following a “passionate and well-tempered” debate they chose not to sever ties which means Unite will be Labour’s largest donor.
Graham told delegates in Brighton, “This is the moment of maximum leverage for the union where we can hold Labour to account. Now cannot be the time to walk away. We would be weakening our own arm.
“It would be the worst time to leave the Labour Party when they are in touching distance of power. If we leave we wouldn’t influence that power.
“Labour must be Labour and the union must push them into that position. We must make them take different choices. We will not make the same mistakes of the past.
“There will be no blank cheques for Labour until we see tangible results.”
Unite said on Twitter, “Unite Rules Conference votes overwhelmingly to stay affiliated to Labour but General Secretary Sharon Graham puts Keir Starmer on notice, he must deliver on jobs, pay and conditions if he wins power at the next election.”
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