BE BOLD, KEIR

Union chief tells Starmer to back strikes and tackle Tories head-on

- PAUL HUTCHEON

A POWERFUL trade union chief has accused Keir Starmer of giving "mixed messages" on the economy and workers' rights.

Ahead of the Labour conference, Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said the party needed to be more "robust" and "clear" if they wanted to topple the Tories.

She told Labour leader Starmer: "Be bold. This is not a time for being safe."

Graham, whose union is Labour's biggest donor, spoke to the Record a year after succeeding Len McCluskey in the hot seat.

She has refocused Unite's activities on industrial action and said the union has put £150million into members' pockets in her first year after tough talks with employers.