We sat down with Sharon Graham, General Secretary of Unite the Union, at the TUC Congress for an in-depth conversation about the future of the labour movement, the Labour Party, and the urgent need to unite the left around working people.
In this interview, Graham shares her candid views on the question of who should become the next Deputy Leader of the Labour Party, and what kind of leadership working people need at Westminster. With Labour preparing for the next general election, the role of trade unions in shaping policy and direction has never been more important. Graham explores whether Labour can still be trusted to represent workers, and what Unite will do to ensure its members’ voices are heard loud and clear.
We also dive into the issue of union affiliation with the Labour Party. As one of Labour’s biggest backers, Unite’s relationship with the party is critical — but it’s also under scrutiny. Graham explains the principles that should guide that relationship, how she believes unions should use their power, and why accountability to the rank and file must come first.
Finally, she talks about the wider challenge of uniting the left. In a moment of deep economic uncertainty, with wages squeezed, conditions eroded, and the cost of living crisis still biting, Graham argues that the left must return to its core mission: fighting for workers. She sets out her vision for a broad coalition, grounded in solidarity, that can resist division and deliver real change.
Credit to : PoliticsJOE