Following the election of Andy Burnham in the Makerfield by-election, Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said:
 
“There is absolutely no doubt that over the last two years workers and the working class have fallen out of love with Labour. The win for Andy Burnham in Makerfield is a glimmer of hope but it must not be taken as a business as usual mandate.

“It is clear that there now needs to be an orderly timetable for a leadership election and Keir Starmer must do the right thing and step down. The inevitable leadership election must be fought on real change and policies. Not personalities or better speeches.

 “This result does paper over the cracks that workers feel abandoned by Labour and they will continue to abandon Labour in droves if there is not a significant change in economic and political direction. Rearranging the deckchairs and incremental reforms just won’t cut it.
 
“Britain now needs a vision. Workers and communities need hope. We must invest in Britain and jobs, stop everyday people paying for crisis after crisis not of their making. Straightforward policies such as capping energy prices immediately, releasing the crippling freeze on tax bands, introduce a wealth tax to fund our public services and a comprehensive industrial plan backed by real money, would be a good start.”
 
ENDS
Notes to editors:
 
For media enquiries ONLY please contact Unite senior communications advisor Barckley Sumner on 07802 329235.
 
Email: barckley.sumner@unitetheunion.org
 
Twitter: @unitetheunion Facebook: unitetheunion1 Instagram: unitetheunion Web: unitetheunion.org
 
Unite is the UK and Ireland’s leading union fighting to protect and advance jobs, pay and conditions for members working across all sectors of the economy. The general secretary is Sharon Graham