Andy Burnham, the current favorite to lead the Labour Party, is meeting with leaders of affiliated trade unions to secure their backing as he positions himself for a potential premiership. The discussions are taking place at the Unison headquarters, a significant move as union support is crucial for leadership candidates.
Burnham has previously articulated a vision for "greater public control of essential services." Unions such as the GMB are expected to press Burnham on specific policy points, including water ownership, domestic procurement, school support staff, and equal pay. These issues reflect the core concerns of unionized workforces.
A point of discussion among unions and Burnham's camp is the potential appointment of Ed Miliband as his chancellor. Leaders of the Unite and GMB unions, representing workers in the fossil fuel industry, have voiced opposition to Miliband due to his past policies on North Sea oil drilling. These unions have found Miliband's stance on new oil and gas licenses in the North Sea to be in conflict with their members' interests. Gary Smith, general secretary of the GMB, has criticized the government's net-zero policies concerning the North Sea oil and gas sectors, describing them as "shameful" and "economic madness."
Conversely, Andrea Egan, general secretary of Unison, has reportedly endorsed Miliband for the chancellor position. Another individual mentioned as a possible chancellor in a Burnham administration is Wes Streeting, who previously served as Sir Keir Starmer's health secretary.
Electoral reform is also on the agenda for the meetings. Burnham has long advocated for changes to the current first-past-the-post system, arguing that it leads to excessive point-scoring rather than problem-solving. This stance aligns with the formal policies of eight out of Labour's eleven affiliated trade unions, which also favor electoral reform.