Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer is scheduled to meet with representatives from 11 trade unions affiliated to Labour on Thursday as part of efforts to secure their continued support following recent election setbacks. The grouping of unions, known collectively as Tulo (Trade Union and Labour Organisation), includes influential members such as Unite, Unison, the Fire Brigades Union (FBU), Usdaw, and GMB.

This event marks a critical moment for Starmer, with a summit of general secretaries from all 11 unions planned for Friday to determine their collective response to Labour’s performance. Tulo issued a statement on Friday expressing “deep concern about the catastrophic election results” and urged the party to adopt a “radical new direction.” However, the statement stopped short of calling for Starmer’s resignation or setting a timetable for his departure.

Among the unions, differing views have emerged. Sharon Graham, general secretary of Unite, and Steve Wright, chief of the FBU, have publicly called for Starmer to step down following the elections. Conversely, some unions that generally support the Prime Minister, such as Usdaw and GMB, have not directly demanded his resignation.

Officials familiar with the discussions indicated that the message conveyed to Starmer during Thursday’s meeting is expected to focus on pressing him to clarify how he plans to lead Labour towards a new strategic approach. While calls for Starmer’s resignation are likely to persist at an individual union level, the unified position of the Tulo group appears centered on demanding clear proposals for change rather than an immediate leadership challenge.

The talks on Thursday and Friday will be closely watched as a potential turning point for Labour’s relationship with its union backers, which have historically been a core element of the party’s support base. The outcome could significantly influence Starmer’s ability to consolidate his leadership ahead of future electoral contests.