Unison chief endorses Ed Milband for chancellor under a Burnham government

The boss of Britain’s biggest trade union has endorsed Ed Miliband for chancellor, as the race to take over the Treasury under a potential Andy Burnham government intensifies. Unison would be the most high-profile organisation to back the current energy secretary, who is one of two frontrunners to replace Rachel Reeves in No 11, but who is being opposed by two other large unions – GMB and Unite. The tussle between supporters of Miliband and his most likely rival, Wes Streeting , comes as Burnham prepares to give his first major policy speech since becoming the MP for Makerfield. The former Greater Manchester mayor will give a speech in Manchester on devolution and the economy on Monday. But he is under increasing pressure to clarify who his chancellor will be, with investors, MPs, unions and business groups arguing it will constitute the most important decision he makes in office. Andrea Egan, Unison’s general secretary, said: “Andy Burnham has a historic opportunity to rebuild our country in the interests of workers and communities, but that chance will be squandered if his government is made up of politicians determined to continue the same failed approach. “We need a chancellor who will rewire the economy and properly invest to improve the lives of the majority. …