Far-Left Candidate Elected Head Of UK's Largest Trade Union

In an unexpected result, far-left candidate Sharon Graham has been elected as General Secretary of Unite, the United Kingdom's largest trade union. Graham, backed by the Socialist Workers' Party and individuals linked with the former Militant organisation, defeated Steve Turner - backed by outgoing Gen Sec Len McCluskey - and centrist candidate Gerard Coyne.

• The primary political impact of Graham's election will come in Unite's relations with the main opposition Labour Party. The two have historically had strong links, but following the election of Sir Keir Starmer as Labour leader and his shift of the party towards the political centre ground following Jeremy Corbyn's tenure relations have proved more strained.
• The election of a left-wing candidate could be seen as a blow to Starmer, with the risk that Unite becomes a critic of his policy stances and attempts to drag Labour policy to the left (Unite have two seats on the Labour National Executive Council). However, Graham ran a campaign on shifting Unite's focus away from internal Labour party politics and towards improving workplace conditions for its members, potentially allowing Starmer to avoid the political headache of one of Labour's largest financial backers being a vocal critic of policy.