MPs’ nominations closed yesterday and affiliates, including trade unions, now have the opportunity to nominate. Being the only candidate put forward by MPs, Andy Burnham must also secure the support of at least three affiliates, two of which must be trade unions. There will be a special conference on Friday to elect Andy Burnham as the new Labour leader, and it is expected he will become Prime Minister on Monday 20 July.
Joanne Thomas – Usdaw general secretary says: “Usdaw has proudly nominated Andy Burnham for Labour leader, after our national executive council unanimously voted to support him. We are delighted that Labour MPs have united behind him and we look forward to Andy’s premiership.
“A few weeks ago, the labour movement came together with the communities we are part of, to show that the message of hate from Reform can be beaten. That if you want change, there is an alternative message of hope. That is how Andy Burnham won in Makerfield, with unity, not division. But winning in Makerfield is not the end; Andy has a lot to live up to, a lot to deliver and a lot to change.
“He should start by looking at communities across the UK and provide workers with secure and decently paid jobs, by delivering the New Deal for Working People in full, without delay. Including the ban on zero-hours contracts and the right to a contract that reflects the hours for all workers that we were promised. Including the ban on fire and rehire, and restrictions on bosses using technology to spy on their employees. Workers across the UK need that New Deal delivered in full and that is my strong message to Andy Burnham.”
Notes for editors:
Usdaw (Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers) is one of the fastest growing unions in the TUC and the UK's fifth biggest with around 370,000 members. Most Usdaw members work in the retail sector, but the union also represents many workers in transport, distribution, food manufacturing, chemical industry and other trades www.usdaw.org.uk
For Usdaw press releases visit: www.usdaw.org.uk/news and you can follow us on Bluesky @usdawunion.bsky.social and Twitter/X @UsdawUnion