Starmer has previously told shadow frontline workers they should not take part in strikes, arguing Labor should be the governing party. A shadow minister said Nandy’s appearance at the strikes, along with several other presidents across the country, meant the ban was effectively over. Nandy was told in advance in the leader’s office that she planned to visit Communication Workers Union (CWU) workers from BT and Openreach who were on strike in her Wigan constituency, describing it as a visit to constituents involved in a local dispute to talk to them and show support. “Heart [Leader of opposition] they were aware in advance,” said a source close to Nandy. “She came down to show her support for constituents fighting for better pay and conditions at a really difficult time, as you would expect.” Referring to an article previously written by Starmer for the Sunday Mirror about the right to strike, they said: “We support their right to do that and what they need now is a Labor government so they don’t feel they are in theirs when times are hard.” Two other MPs also visited CWU pickets, Shadow Employment Secretary Imran Hussain in Bradford and Labor whip Navendu Mishra in Stockport. CWU members, including call center workers and engineers, are on a 24-hour strike following similar action on Friday. The union has rejected a £1,500 pay rise for all workers, which the CWU says means wages will fall in real terms due to the rapid rise in inflation. Sam Tarry was sacked as shadow transport secretary by Starmer last week for giving multiple interviews on a line at Euston in London with striking RMT workers – where he suggested they deserved pay rises in line with inflation. Starmer’s spokesman said at the time that Tarry had been fired for making unauthorized media appearances. “This is not about showing up on a picket line. The members of the frontbench sign the collective responsibility. This includes approving media appearances and speaking at agreed frontbench positions,” the spokesperson said. Tarry said it was “great to see” Nandy join the picket line. “Senior Labor politicians must show loud and clear that our party stands with ordinary workers fighting back against this anti-Labour government,” he tweeted. Subscribe to First Edition, our free daily newsletter – every morning at 7am. BST Starmer said in interviews last Tuesday that the ban on shadow ministers attending protests remained in place, stressing that Tarry’s dismissal related to the interviews he had given. But in the Sunday Mirror article, Starmer said he understood why workers were striking for fair pay. “I completely understand why people strike for better wages and better conditions. I support their right to do so,” he wrote. “When I was a lawyer, I represented striking miners for free. Not just emotion and a photo op. I backed up my words with actions. “Now I lead a Labor Party that wants to change lives and give Britain the fresh start it needs. That means turning from a protest party into a party that can win power – then give that power to the workers. I don’t apologize for that.” Unions, including those affiliated with the Labor Party, condemned the decision to sack Tarry. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham called it “an insult to the trade union movement”, adding: “Frankly it would be funny if it wasn’t so serious.” Transport union TSSA also condemned the sacking, saying it was “shameful” for the party.
