UK Union Leaders Unanimously Reject Nigel Farage’s Reform UK Overture
Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, invited trade unions to abandon Labour and affiliate with his party, calling Reform "the party of the workers." Major unions including GMB, TSSA, FBU, UNISON, and Unite immediately rejected the offer, calling it a "gimmick" and a "con." They accused Farage of being a Thatcherite enemy of workers’ rights, citing Reform MPs’ votes against sick pay and zero-hours contract bans. Labour MPs also condemned the move as opportunism.
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UK Union Leaders Reject Nigel Farage's Invitation to Affiliate with Reform UK
Trade union leaders in the UK have unanimously rejected an invitation from Reform UK leader Nigel Farage to leave the Labour Party and affiliate with his party. Farage made the offer in a social media video, citing polling that shows Reform UK is competitive with Labour among union members. However, leaders from the Fire Brigades Union, UNISON, TSSA, Unite, and GMB dismissed the invitation as a gimmick and a con. They accused Farage of being an enemy of trade unions, pointing to his past support for Thatcher-era anti-union policies, his opposition to the Employment Rights Act, and Reform UK's proposals to raid public sector pensions. Labour Party chair Anna Turley also rejected the offer, emphasizing the Labour government's record on workers' rights. The union leaders urged Labour to take stronger action to address working-class concerns and counter the threat of a far-right government.
LabourListUnion leaders dismiss Nigel Farage's invitation to affiliate with Reform UK
Trade union leaders have firmly rejected an open invitation from Nigel Farage to leave the Labour Party and affiliate with Reform UK. In a social media video, Farage cited recent polling suggesting Reform is competitive with Labour among union members, particularly in Unite and the GMB, and offered to meet union leaders at Reform's September conference. However, leaders from the Fire Brigades Union, UNISON, TSSA, and Unite dismissed the offer as a 'gimmick' and a 'con,' accusing Farage of being a Thatcherite who opposes workers' rights, the Employment Rights Act, and public sector pensions. They warned that a Farage-led government would attack workers' rights more severely than Margaret Thatcher. Labour Party chair Anna Turley also condemned Farage, asserting that Labour remains the only party trusted to stand up for working people, having delivered the biggest boost to workers' rights in a generation.
LabourListUnion Leaders Reject Nigel Farage's Invitation to Affiliate with Reform UK
Trade union leaders have unanimously rejected an invitation from Nigel Farage for unions to disaffiliate from Labour and join Reform UK. Farage made the offer in a social media video, citing polling showing Reform UK is competitive with Labour among union members. Leaders from the Fire Brigades Union, UNISON, TSSA, Unite, and GMB dismissed the proposal as a gimmick and a con, accusing Farage of being anti-worker and a Thatcherite. They highlighted his opposition to the Employment Rights Act, support for pension raids, and history of backing anti-union policies. Labour Party chair Anna Turley also rejected the offer, defending the government's record on workers' rights. The union leaders urged Labour to take stronger action to address working-class concerns and counter the rise of Reform UK.
LabourListUnion Leaders Reject Nigel Farage's Call For Them To Back Reform UK
Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, called on trade unions to abandon Labour and affiliate with his party, declaring Reform 'the party of the workers' in a video on X. He invited union leaders to the party's September conference in Birmingham. However, major unions immediately rejected the overture, citing Reform MPs' votes against Labour's worker rights legislation, including sick pay, zero-hours contract bans, and fire-and-rehire protections. GMB, TSSA, and FBU leaders accused Farage of opportunism and described him as a 'Thatcherite' enemy of unions. Labour MPs also condemned the move, with one comparing Farage to 'a fox campaigning for better henhouse security.' The article notes Farage has not held a press conference since a £5 million donation from a Thailand-based crypto billionaire emerged two months ago.
HuffPost UK - Athena2 - All Entries (Public)Union Leaders Reject Nigel Farage’s Call For Them To Back Reform UK
Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, called on trade unions to abandon Labour and affiliate with his party, declaring Reform 'the party of the workers' in a video posted on X. He invited union leaders to attend Reform's annual conference in September. However, major unions immediately rejected the overture. A GMB spokesperson accused Farage of saying 'one thing to workers and do another,' citing Reform MPs' votes against sick pay and workers' rights. Maryam Eslamdoust of the TSSA union called the move a 'ridiculous and desperate gimmick' and warned a Farage-led government would attack workers' rights worse than Thatcher. Labour MPs also condemned Farage, with Alex Sobel calling it 'pure opportunism' and Luke Charters comparing him to 'a fox campaigning for better henhouse security.' The article notes Farage has not held a press conference since a £5 million donation from a Thailand-based crypto billionaire emerged.
HuffPost UK - Athena2 - All Entries (Public)