Blog: Labour must unite behind Keir Starmer

When UNISON gave its backing to Keir Starmer and Angela Rayner back in early January, no-one could have forseen how our country, society and public services would change in just three short months. Public service workers are working tirelessly – in hospitals, but also in care homes, refuse trucks, police stations and call centres – to ensure the rest of us can stay safely indoors. The deadly impact of Covid-19 is having an impact upon everyone and changed everyday life in the most fundamental of ways. Yet the reasons that UNISON backed Keir and Angela haven’t changed – in fact, they are proven even more significant in this most difficult of times. I’m so pleased that Keir Starmer will now lead our great party at this time of unprecedented turmoil. The task our new leader faces would always have been great, but now it is historic. Yet the qualities he embodies – public service, respect and trust – have never been more important. Keir’s story is one of service, duty and dedication to doing what he believes is right, with values rooted in socialist principles. When this son of a toolmaker and a nurse – the first person in his family to go to university – became a barrister, he could have used his skills and talents purely for his own benefit. Instead, he dedicated himself to standing up for those fighting injustice. Fighting the infamous McLibel case, bringing successful legal challenges against the death penalty in the Caribbean and advocating on behalf of ...
Source: UNISON meat hygiene - Category: Food Science Authors: Tags: General secretary's blog News Keir Starmer Labour Party Source Type: news