MOMENTUM has accused Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer of being “missing in action” ahead of tomorrow’s launch of a campaign to back workers demanding pay increases in line with inflation.

The left-wing organisation aims to force the party leadership to support workers taking industrial action linked to the cost-of-living crisis.

With millions of people worried about paying their energy bills, Momentum said Sir Keir is sitting on the fence at the worst possible time.

The group argued that while tens of thousands of workers are involved in strike campaigns, it is not good enough that the Labour leader is seeking just a “tiny VAT cut” and banning his party frontbenchers from showing solidarity.

It demanded that every Labour MP stand with striking workers on picket lines, back pay rises in line with inflation and support public ownership.

Momentum is also calling on the party leadership to support the abolition of anti-trade union laws.

Labour MP Sam Tarry, who was sacked from the party’s front bench after joining a picket line of striking rail workers, will speak at the campaign launch.

He said: “By firing shadow ministers like myself for standing on picket lines, Keir Starmer is in danger of driving a wedge between Labour and the millions of working people desperate for real relief in this escalating cost-of-living crisis.

“I am proud of our party’s historic links to the trade unions. It’s time all of our party were.

“Together, we must build our movement, gather our resources and fight, fight and fight again to win the next election clearly on the side of Britain’s workers.” 

Momentum co-chairwoman Hilary Schan said: “Enough is enough. Britain is on the brink. Now is the time for Labour to champion real relief for the millions of people suffering in this cost-of-living crisis.

“Keir Starmer needs to get off the fence and stand on the picket lines with working people fighting for their livelihoods, whether it’s rail workers or posties.

“What’s more, he should come out for the inflation-proof pay rise the people of this country deserve.”

Momentum is calling on constituency Labour parties nationwide to support a motion for the party annual conference demanding solidarity with striking workers.

Other speakers at the Momentum campaign launch event include Labour MPs Dawn Butler and Jon Trickett and Unison president Andrea Egan.