Setback for Starmer as unions kill off reform plan

SIR Keir Starmer suffered a huge setback last night on the eve of his party conference after union barons all but killed off his attempts to change Labour’s leadership rules.

The Labour leader has set out plans to end the one member, one vote system that elected Jeremy Corbyn. Sir Keir wants to return to an electoral college, giving MPs and unions a greater say.

He presented his proposals to Labour’s affiliated unions yesterday – but they rejected his plans to put the measures to the conference next week, saying they wanted more time to consult members.

Although the two sides vowed to continue talking, the move has seemingly killed off the plan for the time being.

Sir Keir was also mocked for a 12,000word essay on his vision of a ‘contribution society’, calling for Labour to be ‘proudly patriotic’, have a close relationship with business and avoid wasting public cash.

Tory party co-chairman Oliver Dowden said: ‘If this is Starmer’s “big vision” he should have gone to Specsavers. Labour

‘They are all essays and no action’

are talking to themselves about themselves. They are all essays and no action.’

Sir Keir backed MPs, unions and party members each having a third of the vote in a leadership election.

After yesterday’s meeting a joint statement from Labour and Mick Whelan, chairman of the trade union and Labour Party liaison organisation, said: ‘Keir Starmer and Labour’s affiliated trade union leaders had a positive meeting to discuss the rule changes the Labour leader would like to bring to conference.

‘There was broad consensus on the need to refocus the Labour Party on the country and concerns of working people. Discussions will continue.’

In a separate statement, Sir Keir claimed his proposals were never a ‘take it or leave it conversation’. He said: ‘I am continuing to take suggestions and have discussions about how we do everything we need to in order to make the Labour Party the party of working people again.’