Trade unions have written to Andy Burnham asking him to prioritise the repeal of the 50% turnout threshold in statutory trade union ballots. It comes as ministers last week published a code of practice on electronic and workplace balloting, which will come into force later this month. From 25 August 2026, electronic voting and hybrid voting (both postal and electronic voting) can be used for statutory ballots – including ballots for industrial action, trade union elections and political fund ballots. “Labour had previously promised to repeal this within 100 days of taking office,” said the letter. “It cannot go unnoticed that no other such vote, including elections for local or national government, requires such a threshold.”