Labour 'too timid' and must 'punch government' on cost of living, union boss says

Sharon Graham, the new Unite chief, told the Daily Mirror that Labour had been 'too timid' in helping struggling families as she urged them to set out clear alternatives to the Tories

The boss of Britain’s most powerful union has warned Labour will lose the next election unless it reconnects with working class people.

The new Unite chief said she wanted "to shake" Keir Starmer's top team so they "keep punching" the Government over the cost of living crisis.

Sharon Graham claimed Labour had been "too timid" in helping struggling families as she urged them to set out clear alternatives to the Tories.

After mixed progress in the local elections, she claimed some Labour MPs even appeared "embarrassed" to represent working people.

In an interview with the Mirror, Ms Graham said: "They've got to listen to the screaming voices of those who didn't vote.

"To those who didn't think Labour gave them enough reasons to vote for them...

"They're not going to win unless they reconnect with working class voters."

The union chief, who took over from 'Red' Len McCluskey last autumn, criticised Mr Starmer's team over their cautious approach.

"Jesus, you don't need a focus group to feel an elderly woman going round on a bus to keep warm," she said.

"I want to shake them. If they can't feel this, they're in the wrong job, the lot of them.

"They should highlight what is going on and keep punching on the same part and keep pushing it."

Ms Graham, who despite avoiding internal Labour politics has been a critic of the party's direction, admitted she also "struggles" with what Labour stands for.

"Now is the time for the plan. Get it out of the cupboard and get on with it. Because the autumn will be too late."

The Unite boss dismissed reports the union was planning to disaffiliate from Labour as a "red herring".

She confirmed she currently has no plans to write any cheques to the party, potentially depriving it of millions of pounds in donations.

But she said there would be "a conversation" with Labour about funding it in the run-up to the next general election.

Ms Graham was scathing about the Government's response to the cost of living crisis.

"I can't understand why they don't see this happening, the flippancy of saying we're going to wait to the autumn.

"I don't think they're really understanding what's going on out there. They're literally disconnected from real life."

Unite is calling for a windfall tax for all companies that "profiteered" during the pandemic - PPE firms and supermarkets as well as energy firms.

"Have a windfall tax on the bloody lot of them," she said. "It should go directly into the hands of those that need it right away."

Her focus is to push up pay via industrial action - the union has launched 302 disputes in the last six months and already won three out of four.

She warned the failure to include an employment bill in the Queen's Speech meant workers' rights were on a slippery slope.

Even the plans dropped by ministers - including fair tips and pregnancy discrimination protections - were "tinkering round the edges".

She added: "They always talk about red tape but really what they're talking about is fewer rights for workers or people in communities."

Ms Graham has faced awkward questions about a £110 million hotel built with union funds by her predecessor Len McCluskey.

Unite insiders have suggested that an interim report shows the project had overspent by around £50 million.

"If we've been fleeced in any way, it is my duty to try to get that money back for our members," she said.

"It wouldn't have been what I have dreamt of when I took over.

"But you shine a light and expose what's there and then you deal with it."