STEVE WRIGHT said he is “deeply honoured” as he started work as the Fire Brigades Union’s (FBU) new general secretary yesterday.

In his first public comments since the FBU ballot was announced on Tuesday, Mr Wright said: “However you voted, I will work with the executive council and all FBU officials every day to deliver for you — together we will fight for your pay, pensions and terms and conditions.

“I stand by the commitments made to members in my election statement.

“Together, we will campaign for a fit-for-purpose fire and rescue service that protects the public and its employees, with genuine investment and national standards.

“Our union has a proud history of standing together, and recent campaigns have shown what can be achieved through unity and determination.

“We will continue to build on these to win improvements in pay, terms and conditions, safety and lead the fight for equality in the fire and rescue service.

“The strength of our union lies in its members, and I look forward to working with all of our members to deliver on the priorities that we set together.”

In his election mission statements, the Oxfordshire firefighter, who was elected FBU vice-president in 2023 and is an executive council member for the Southern region, vowed to establish a safety-driven FBU committed to a culture of unity, solidarity and equality.

Alongside promises to invest in education and support for union reps, he stressed that “transparency and accountability are fundamental pillars of effective leadership” and that it is “imperative to craft a cohesive political strategy.”

Outgoing leader Matt Wrack, helming the union since 2005, said he leaves the FBU with “my head held high” and vowed to continue his life-long fight for anti-racism, anti-fascism, socialism and trade unionism.

He said: “I am proud to have led the Fire Brigades Union for two decades, a period which has seen eight prime ministers.

“We have fought back against attacks on the fire service and we have laid the ground for real progress. 

“Much of the FBU’s work in that time is only now coming to fruition.

“The FBU has played a leading role in the fight for equality, in the face of some appalling behaviours and a systemic failure by fire service leadership.

“This work has meant having difficult conversations inside our union and must be continued.”