Keir Starmer is under fresh pressure over the former Conservative MP Natalie Elphicke's defection to Labour after the president of the Trades Union Congress said her vocal support for anti-strike laws should be "incompatible" with the party whip.
Matt Wrack, who is also the general secretary of the Labour-affiliated Fire Brigades Union, has described the MP for Dover and Deal's views as "disgraceful" after she used a parliamentary intervention in March to blame firefighters for the deaths of three people during a national strike.
Wrack's comments are set out in a letter, seen by the Guardian, which was sent to Starmer this weekend.
They come as senior Labour figures have been forced to defend Elphicke amid claims she lobbied the justice secretary to interfere in her then husband's rape case, claims her spokesperson called "nonsense".
Wrack, who became president of the TUC in September, wrote in the letter that Labour's decision to admit Elphicke is "alarming" because of the party's promise to repeal the Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Act 2023, which in effect bans strike action across parts of the public sector.
"Labour's pledge to repeal this authoritarian legislation within 100 days of taking office, alongside the 2016 Trade Union Act, is a crucial commitment. It is therefore alarming that Natalie Elphicke has been admitted to the parliamentary Labour party. Elphicke was a cheerleader for the Minimum Service Levels Act, and has specifically targeted firefighters in her contributions in parliament.
Bu hikaye The Guardian dergisinin May 13, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye The Guardian dergisinin May 13, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
'Panic mode' Bosses pressing mechanics to keep quiet, says worker at Everett site
Boeing's largest factory is in \"panic mode\", workers and union officials say, with managers accused of hounding staff to keep quiet over quality concerns.
Mushrooming popularity of homegrown fungi 'could lead to biodiversity disaster'
An increase in the number of people growing mushrooms in their garden could lead to a biodiversity disaster similar to those caused by Japanese knotweed and other invasive plants, experts have warned.
Papua New Guinea PM makes first visit to site of landslide as death toll rises
Papua New Guinea's prime minister, James Marape, has made his first visit to a remote village hit by a deadly landslide last week, and thanked international aid donors for their support.
'It's a battle for the soul of our society' Israeli peace activists stand together to protect aid convoys from settlers
At approximately 10.30am on a scorching Monday, a group of five young Israeli settlers arrived at the Tarqumiya checkpoint, west of Hebron in the West Bank, where dozens of aid trucks bound for Gaza were expected.
South African coalition government on the cards after ANC vote collapses
South Africa was yesterday facing the uncertainty of a coalition government after the former president Jacob Zuma's new party upended the country's elections, contributing to the African National Congress party's vote share collapsing.
Royal rift All eyes on princes as duke gets married
When Hugh Grosvenor, the 7th Duke of Westminster, 33, marries Olivia Henson, 31, at Chester Cathedral next week he will relinquish the status bestowed by society bibles of Britain's most eligible bachelor.
Spain fines four airlines £128m over 'abusive' extra fees
Budget airlines including easyJet and Ryanair have been hit with fines totalling €150m (£128m) by the Spanish government for policies that include charging passengers extra for cabin luggage.
Political adverts 'Microtargeting ditched for big spending splurge
Don't expect to see Cambridge Analyticastyle microtargeted adverts political driven by personal data during this general election: the tactic is now considered by many to be an ineffective \"red herring\" and is increasingly being blocked by social media platforms.
'It's not just Gaza' Historically safe Labour seat where voters say party could struggle
On a Wednesday afternoon, despite the pouring rain, Alum Rock Road is buzzing.
Analysis Prime minister's policy blitz fails to move polls
Rishi Sunak is heading to the north-east today for a rare foray into the \"red wall\" after a campaign that has so far focused on shoring up the Conservative party's older, more affluent southern base.
