The leader of the UK’s second largest union has gone on record to state that, despite her best efforts, justifying partnership with this right-wing party of big business has become politically hazardous in the face of the mass hostility in the working class.

Sharon Graham said the way the party had handled industrial issues had left members considering their relationship with Labour.

Unite has voted to suspend Angela Rayner from the union – even though she gave up her membership months ago. Members decided to take the extraordinary step in protest at the deputy prime minister’s stance on the long-running strike by bin collectors in Birmingham.