Leave workers' rights bill alone, unions tell Starmer

Fears Rayner's exit will trigger Labour shift to right

- DAVID MADDOX KATE DEVLIN

Union leaders have warned of a “massive backlash” if the prime minister attempts to water down the workers' rights bill following his sweeping cabinet reshuffle.

The exit of two ministers who were the architects of the bill - former deputy prime minister Angela Rayner and ex-employment minister Justin Madders - prompted fears among unions of a shift to the right in Sir Keir Starmer's government.

One senior union figure described Sir Keir's reshuffle as “a right-wing coup”, adding: “The employment rights package is a red line. There will be a massive backlash if any attempt is made to water the bill down.”

Downing Street moved to calm fears over the issue yesterday as the Labour Party teetered on the verge of crisis. A spokesperson said the legislation had the “absolute backing” of the government and Sir Keir would ensure that dozens of amendments put in by Tory and Lib Dem peers will be voted down.

Sir Keir told Labour MPs during a meeting of the Parliamentary Labour Party on Monday evening: “Let me be crystal clear with you, all these commitments continue under this Labour government. The Employment Rights bill will continue with the same substance and timetable as before.”

It came as Trades Union Congress general secretary Paul Nowak issued a thinly veiled threat in his keynote speech at the group's conference in Brighton.

He said: “My message to the government is simply this: deliver the manifesto on which you won a huge majority last July; deliver good jobs, decent public services and better living standards in every corner of the country; deliver the change people voted for and show working people whose side you are on.”