‘Donald Trump is uncontrolled and appearing like a gangster’
‘Keir Starmer must condemn this violation of international law and distance us from Trump’s lawlessness’, the UNISON General Secretary Elect, Andrea Egan writes
As a social worker, I’ve been on the frontlines of our public services for decades. Today, 18 months into a Labour government, things are as bad as ever for my colleagues.
Not only has the value of our pay been slashed year on year as the cost of bills and basics skyrocket. We’ve also, while struggling to make ends meet, been made to watch the services to which our working lives have been dedicated – and which were once at the heart of our communities – systematically dismantled by politicians.
Working within a local authority my entire career, I have seen the sharp end. Our local authorities have been cynically asset-stripped: £15 billion sold off since 2010. In Bolton, where I’m from, the council’s funding has been slashed by more than a quarter since 2010. These aren’t just numbers in headlines. Every cut makes the lives of ordinary people worse. Each cut is an attack on everyone who relies on public services.
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Labour has so far failed to turn this round, despite all the grand talk of national renewal. Why? Because the party refuses to govern in the interest whose name it bears: labour. Governing for labour would mean confidently governing for the working class as a whole, unafraid of the bond markets, the ‘business lobby’, and the right-wing rags.
There should be no squeamishness about this. Labour can live up to its name simply by always having what is best for the overwhelming majority as its top consideration. Starmer’s talk about tackling the cost of living will ring hollow without a serious plan for driving wages up and bills down.
The Prime Minister could start by putting public money where his mouth is and giving all public workers an inflation-proof pay rise this year, alongside introducing an Employment Rights Bill 2.0, guaranteeing sector-wide collective bargaining. As UNISON general secretary, elected by and for ordinary public sector workers, my central political priority will be defending the working class and improving our lot.
I am clear: Labour must stop wasting money on war and start investing in our broken public services. Our cowardly political establishment postures and bangs the drums of war while never dreaming of sending their kids to fight.
If they had any interest in actually keeping us safe, they’d invest to repair our social fabric and bring back our industries, not pour money into weapons. 2026 spells a new era for UNISON, with ordinary members taking charge. Let it mark the beginning of a new chapter for Labour, too, one where labour always comes first. That’s how to really improve people’s lives — and stop Farage in his tracks.
‘Four young people languishing in prison on hunger strike’
As we see in the new year, a time of hope and the promise of renewal for many, there are four young people languishing in prison on hunger strike: Heba Muraisi, Teuta Hoxha, Kamran Ahmed, and Lewie Chiaramello.
They have been jailed, without being found guilty of any offence, because they dared to take non-violent direct action against Israel’s genocide in Gaza. The Prime Minister bears grave culpability for the fates of these heroic young people, just as he does for the British government’s ongoing complicity in Israel’s crimes against the Palestinian people.
If the Suffragettes were around today, this Labour government would ban them as a terrorist organisation. UNISON, as a union of more than 1 million women, applauds the courage of those taking a stand against Israel’s genocide.
‘I will only take the wage of a frontline social worker’
As UNISON general secretary, I will only take the wage of a frontline social worker. Members elected me because they understand I am one of them. I’ve faced the same struggles and challenges as them.
Those are the realities I’ll always stay rooted in. Because as the union’s leader I am there as a workers’ representative . I’ve been elected to represent 1.3 million UNISON members, not rise above them.
‘Trump is out of control’
We’ve seen historic and shameful developments in Venezuela this weekend. Trump is out of control, acting like a gangster, kidnapping President Maduro and murdering Venezuelan citizens. Starmer must condemn this violation of international law and distance us from Trump’s lawlessness.
