Skip to content

Unite's Sharon Graham on changing Labour leadership rules

Labour should focus on "issues facing workers and communities" not about the rules to elect a future party leader, says Sharon Graham.

The Unite leader wondered why anyone would be interested in rule changes "in a crisis", and it would be a "huge error" to have that debate now.

READ: Starmer warned Labour leadership rule changes risk 'civil war'

21 September 2021

Explore More

John Darvall sat on the left of a composite image, in a purple studio with a microphone in front of him. On the right is Keir Starmer with grey hair and brown glasses.

PM challenged on West's councils facing bankruptcy

John Prescott downing a pint in 1994

Watch: John Prescott downs a pint in five seconds

John Prescott is pushed back against a wall by a protester; there is egg on Prescott's shoulder

Moment Prescott punched protester who threw egg at him

Angela Rayner at the dispatch box in the Commons at PMQs

PMQs: Deputies clash over latest inflation figures

Darren Jones in BBC Political Thinking radio studio

My parents went without to feed me, says Treasury minister

Sir Keir Starmer at PMQs in the Commons.

Watch: PM and Badenoch react to Trump's victory at PMQs

Chris Mason standing outside Downing Street

Trump win is the more complicated outcome for UK government

Will Stone MP and MMA-fighter Matt Inman grappling in Brazilian jiu-jitsu match

Watch: MP takes on pro-MMA fighter in charity bout

Reeves speaking

Chancellor says Budget will raise taxes by £40bn

Sir Keir Starmer at PMQs

Starmer thanks Sunak for hard work, commitment and decency

PM Sir Keir Starmer wearing a suit, making a speech at a lectern, standing in front of a backdrop with 'fixing the foundations' written on it

Sir Keir Starmer: Working people know who they are

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, wears a blue suit and glasses, as he stands in the House of Commons. Angela Rayner and Rachel Reeves sit either side of him on the benches.

Salmond was a monumental figure in politics - Starmer

Sir Keir Starmer

PM tells Brits in Lebanon to 'leave now'

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer

I'm not worried about being unpopular, says Starmer

Keir Starmer on stage at his party conference

Starmer's conference speech in under two minutes

Protester at Labour conference

Protester dragged out after interrupting Reeves speech

UK prime minister, Sir Keir Starmer walking with Laura Kuenssberg

Watch: PM Starmer on riots, fuel payments and Grenfell

UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer

Starmer 'truly shocked' by state of the prison system

Keir Starmer in Commons

Watch: PM apologises to Grenfell families

Keir Starmer an PMQs

PMQs heats up as leaders clash over winter fuel payments

Lindsay Hoyle dragged by both arms

Watch: Moment Speaker dragged to Commons chair

In a traditional part of the process, the successful candidate pretends to be reluctant to take up the role.

Correspondent Ben Chu

Quick take on Labour's energy plan

BBC Verify's Ben Chu on what to make of Labour’s plans to decarbonise UK electricity production.

Chris Mason and Mark Logan

Watch: Former Tory MP says he is backing Labour

The former Conservative MP for Bolton North East has told the BBC he now supports Labour.

Factory workers in Milton Keynes

Watch: Party leaders on the campaign trail

Political party leaders have been out and about campaigning ahead of the general election.

Keir Starmer

I want the highest quality candidates - Starmer

The Labour leader says he wants the "highest quality" candidates to put to the voters.

Carla Denyer

Greens launch campaign target of 'at least four' MPs

The Green Party of England and Wales launch their election campaign in Bristol.

Faiza Shaheen talking on BBC Newsnight

Labour candidate says she's been blocked from standing

Faiza Shaheen says she's was told she will not be Labour's candidate after allegedly liking antisemitic posts on X.

Rishi Sunak

Rishi Sunak tells Chris Mason: Yes, I am changing minds

The PM tells the BBC's political editor he is "thoroughly enjoying" himself out meeting voters in the election campaign.

Sir Keir Starmer wearing a suit and a brown tie

Not true Abbott barred from standing - Starmer

The Labour leader says no decision has been taken to bar Diane Abbott.

Keir Starmer

Starmer pleased Rayner has been 'vindicated'

Labour's leader says he always had confidence in his deputy with the row over her council house sale.

Ed Davey falls from a paddle board

Going, going, gone: Ed Davey takes a dip in Windermere

The Liberal Democrats leader was paddle boarding on Lake Windermere in the Lake District.

Rishi Sunak

Watch: PM criticises Sir Keir Starmer's campaign speeches

The prime minister accused Labour's Sir Keir Starmer of "not having the courage" to tell voters about Labour ideas.

Nigel Farage

Labour and Tories are both 'social democrats', says Farage

Nigel Farage was speaking in Dover, as part of his campaign for Reform UK.

Sir Keir Starmer

Starmer asked if there's a 'lack of enthusiasm' for Labour

Labour leader Keir Starmer is pressed on whether there's a perceived lack of enthusiasm for his party.

Rachel Reeves

Reeves: No return to austerity under Labour

The shadow chancellor is quizzed on her economic plans should Labour win the general election.

Rishi Sunak

Sunak 'disappointed' smoking ban bill did not get through

The PM says he "stepped up to do something that is bold" over his bid to phase out smoking.

Craig Mackinlay MP

Watch: Limb loss MP on his return to Parliament

Craig Mackinlay says he was met by "a storm" of noise when he returned to the House of Commons

Rishi Sunak

Oops! Sunak asks if Welsh are looking forward to Euros

On a campaign trip, the PM asks voters if they will watch the football tournament, even though Wales did not qualify.

Richard Tice

Tories 'terrified' of Reform Party - Richard Tice

The Reform Party leader says Rishi Sunak "bottled it" over calling a surprise general election for July.

Sir Keir Starmer

A vote for Labour is a vote to stop the chaos - Starmer

On the first full day of election campaigning the Labour leader says "nothing will change" if the Conservatives get back into power on July 5.