GMB boss: Starmer must show he “has what it takes” to be PM

The general secretary of one of the largest trade unions, Gary Smith, has signalled his support for Keir Starmer’s plans to change Labour’s rules for electing future leaders, but says their main challenge is to reconnect with working people.

The GMB general secretary said Starmer was “decent” and “committed”, but warned that Labour has become “disconnected from the concerns of ordinary working class people”.

“I think what he’s got to do this week is sell his vision to the country, and demonstrate that Labour can come together with a common purpose, because if we don’t have common purpose, they cannot win,” Smith told Sky News earlier today.