BRITAIN’S biggest union Unison today elected Andrea Egan as its general secretary.

Islington North MP Jeremy Corbyn and Momentum welcomed Ms Egan’s surprise victory over incumbent Christina McAnea.

Ms Egan, a social worker, was expelled from Labour in 2022 for sharing articles from Socialist Appeal, a group that was proscribed by the party. Her election is seen as a blow to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.

She spoke of ending Unison’s “subservience” to Labour during her campaign and will begin her five-year term of office next month after winning 58,579 votes compared with 39,353 for Ms McAnea, who had been leader of Unison since 2021.

Turnout was believed to be 7 per cent in the 1.3-million-strong, predominantly public-sector union.

Ms Egan said: “This result means ordinary Unison members are at long last taking charge of our union.

“We will put faith in members’ decisions and stand up to any employer, politician or Cabinet minister who acts against our interests.

“Together, we will turn Unison into the remarkable force for change it should be.”

Momentum co-chairs Alex Charilaou and Sasha das Gupta said: “Andrea’s victory on an anti-austerity ticket shows that working-class people won’t take more cuts and more decline.

“Unison members have said no to Starmer’s crumbs off the table, no to chronic low pay, no to underfunding and no to privatisation. It really is time for change.”

Mr Corbyn said: “As a Unison member, it was my pleasure to support Andrea. She will be a voice for all members, and will fight for the fairer society they deserve.”

Mainstream, which supports Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, said: “This result shows clearly that vast swathes of Labour’s historic coalition feel the government has fallen out of step with its mainstream.”