Are Starmer and Labour really in hock to ‘union paymasters’?

PM faces pitfalls navigating what are crucial relationships but claims by jilted Tories don't ring true, say experts

Since last month's general election, Sharon Graham, the general secretary of the Unite trade union, has held face-to-face meetings with a string of key secretaries of state.

As she says, in many leading economies, that would barely merit a mention, given that she represents about a million members across 40-odd industries, including steel, energy and defence.