As leader of the UK’s largest union, I want Labour to succeed – but that means radical change | Andrea Egan

If this isn’t to be the last ever Labour government, the party is going to need to reconnect with the labour movement

• Andrea Egan is the general secretary of Unison

If you’re hurtling at high speed towards the cliff-edge, basic common sense says you should at least try to apply the brakes. It’s that moment now: in the wake of Friday’s disastrous election results for Labour, few really doubt there will inevitably be a new party leader – and prime minister.

Yet endless speculation over the how and when of Keir Starmer’s political demise, entertaining as it might be for pundits and Westminster-watchers, is a diversion from the real debate that needs to be had.

Andrea Egan is the general secretary of Unison