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A union chief has warned Labour not to become a “1990s tribute act” to Tony Blair if it wins the next general election.

Sharon Graham, general secretary of Unite, said the party needed to be bolder with its economic policies if it wanted to make a difference for working people.

Writing in The Sunday Times, she said Britain was in a “very different place” to when the party last came to power in 1997 – when there was money to spend and the economy grew “without having to do much except keep their hands firmly on the tiller”.

She argued that a “light touch” approach would not work during the cost of living crisis that has left working people “existing and not living” and some of Labour’s flagship policies – like it’s “diminished Green New Deal” don’t go far enough.

“For working people to share in the spoils and avoid the pitfalls, the future will have to be negotiated,” she wrote.

“That means, consigning 1997 to the history books.”

Ms Graham called for “serious intervention underpinned by a strategic plan” – arguing bold policies like nationalising energy should be put on the table if Labour is “serious about changing society”.

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In a lengthy critique, she said refusing to tax wealth or excess profits and a lack of a coherent industrial plan were “all severely limiting Labour’s options” and economic reform was needed.

In a warning to Sir Keir Starmer, she said: “If Labour is intent on becoming a 1990s tribute act in an age where laissez faire does not belong, big questions will remain unanswered.

“Where will the money come from? What are we going to be left with? If it ends up being austerity by another name plus the hyping of comparatively small-scale investment, it won’t be an enticing prospect.

“Better than the other lot? For sure. But a government to lead Britain out of decline and make it work for everyday people? Probably not.”

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Starmer addresses new shadow cabinet

Ms Graham’s piece came after a shadow cabinet reshuffle saw those on the more Blairite wing of the party, including Liz Kendall, Pat McFadden and Shabana Mahmood, rewarded with promotions, while some associated with the soft left were purged.

Sir Keir’s spokesperson has denied acting ideologically, saying he has assembled a top team that is ready to govern if it wins the next election.

After more than a decade out of power, Sir Keir is hoping to become the first Labour prime minister to win at the ballot box since Tony Blair – who won two terms after his landslide victory in 1997.

He has sought to rebuild the party focusing on a more centrist style than his predecessor, Jeremy Corbyn, with a focus on fiscal Conservatism.

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Labour’s policies are likely to come under further scrutiny in the coming days, as unions convene in Liverpool for the annual TUC conference.

Issues being debated this week include employment rights and the cost of living crisis.

Writing in the Sunday Mirror, deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner promised the “biggest upgrade to workers’ rights in a generation”.

She said this included beefing up laws that ban firms from blacklisting union workers.

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Ms Rayner, who will give a speech at the TUC conference on Tuesday, wrote: “Blacklisting doesn’t just ruin livelihoods, it ruins lives. It’s a destructive practice that leaves people locked out of work, often facing poverty as a result.”

The government’s controversial anti-strikes bill is also expected to come under attack at the conference.

Officials say the new law, requiring minimum service levels during industrial action, is unnecessary and unworkable and will do nothing to resolve disputes.

Unions, including the RMT and Fire Brigade Union, will call for a legal challenge to the legislation during debates at the conference.

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European central bank pushes for CBDC launch in 2029: Report

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European central bank pushes for CBDC launch in 2029: Report

European central bank pushes for CBDC launch in 2029: Report

Nigeria, the Bahamas and Jamaica are only three jurisdictions with launched CBDCs, according to the American think tank, the Atlantic Council.

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Trump, Xi meet in South Korea to iron out tariffs that sank crypto this month

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Trump, Xi meet in South Korea to iron out tariffs that sank crypto this month

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US President Donald Trump has flown to South Korea to meet Chinese leader Xi Jinping to resolve trade tensions between the world’s two superpowers.

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Investigation into Reeves not needed, says Starmer – after she apologises for rental ‘mistake’

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Investigation into Reeves not needed, says Starmer - after she apologises for rental 'mistake'

Sir Keir Starmer has dismissed calls for an investigation into his chancellor after she apologised for putting her family home up for rent without obtaining the necessary licence.

Rachel Reeves wrote to the prime minister to “sincerely” apologise for the “inadvertent error”, which was first reported by the Daily Mail.

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The newspaper said the chancellor rented her family home in Dulwich when she moved into 11 Downing Street, but was unaware she had to obtain a “selective licence” to do so.

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Some London boroughs require private landlords to obtain a specific kind of licence if they are putting their property up for rent – including Southwark Council, where Ms Reeves’ home is listed.

The newspaper said she had now applied for a licence, but the Conservatives have called for an investigation.

A spokesperson for Ms Reeves said: “Since becoming chancellor, Rachel Reeves has rented out her family home through a lettings agency.

“She had not been made aware of the licensing requirement, but as soon as it was brought to her attention, she took immediate action and has applied for the licence.

“This was an inadvertent mistake and in the spirit of transparency, she has made the prime minister, the independent adviser on ministerial standards and the parliamentary commissioner for standards aware.”

What is a selective licence?

Southwark Council introduced “selective licences” across certain areas two years ago.

The scheme is designed to “improve safety, security and quality for people living in private rented homes”.

It aims to ensure renters who face persistent problems with damp, mould and outstanding repairs can get their issues resolved.

These licences apply to most private residential properties, last for five years, and cost £900.

Landlords need to provide documents including safety certificates for gas, electricity and fire alarms – along with floor plans and tenancy agreements.

Renting out a property without a licence can lead to civil penalties of up to £30,000 – as well as prosecution in some cases.

It is understood that Sir Laurie Magnus, the prime minister’s ethics adviser, has not launched an investigation into Ms Reeves.

Sir Keir said further investigation into the issue was “not necessary” after consulting Sir Laurie.

In a letter to Ms Reeves, he suggested her apology was a “sufficient resolution”.

Daisy Cooper, deputy leader of the Liberal Democrats, said the chancellor was adding to the government’s “list of scandals”.

“Just weeks before the budget, this risks seriously undermining confidence in this government and its ability to focus on the urgent tasks at hand,” she added.

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Chancellor faces tough budget choices

The development comes weeks before Ms Reeves delivers her budget on 26 November.

She is rumoured to be considering a series of tax hikes, including a new tax on the sale of homes worth more than £500,000 to replace stamp duty.

Under the proposal, sellers, instead of buyers, would be responsible for paying the tax.

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The chancellor is understood to be looking at an annual 1% charge on the amount a property’s value exceeds £2m – and a £10,000-a-year levy for homes worth £3m.

Another proposal would see capital gains tax (CGT) charged when someone sells their main home, based on the amount it has increased in value during ownership.

Reports suggest this would only be applied to the most expensive properties, with a possible threshold of £1.5m, which would affect about 120,000 homeowners.

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