Labour not defending workers, says Unite after Rayner row

The leader of the Unite union says Labour is not defending working people and they are turning away from the party “in droves”.

Sharon Graham said Labour should be “seriously concerned” after the union voted to potentially rethink its relationship with the party, which could result in it formally cutting ties and funding.

It comes after Unite said it had suspended the membership of Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner over her handling of bin strikes in Birmingham. A Labour source said Rayner quit Unite in April and defended her action on workers’ rights.

A party spokesperson said the Labour government was responsible for the “biggest upgrade in workers’ rights in a generation”.

Delegates at Unite’s policy conference voted to rethink their relationship with Labour should any of its members…