THE National Education Union (NEU) is clear in its commitment to challenge all forms of racism, fascism and far-right extremism. Never in recent times has this been more urgent.

The far right has not come to prominence in a vacuum. Living standards have continued to decline. After years of austerity the insecurity of voters is being exploited by the far right. They seek to divide communities with their narrative that refugees are to blame for the challenges, rather than acknowledging the social inequality in our communities.

Reform UK now runs over 20 councils in England. Its record in local government shows it up for what it is — adept at stoking culture wars and performative actions about flags, Pride marches and the like.

But instead of offering real policy alternatives, far-right groups stoke division and undermine social cohesion. Feeding on anxiety, offering anger instead of solutions, and scapegoats instead of answers.

The fault lies with an economic and political system that has protected wealth at the top, while asking everyone else to make do with less. That has put the interests of the few ahead of the dignity of the many. This has to stop.

The government’s focus should be the lack of equal access to opportunities and the lack of secure jobs with decent pay. Failure to address these issues is tantamount to rolling the red carpet out for Reform to enter Downing Street.  

A Reform government would be a disaster for education, a disaster for the NHS, for working-class communities and for the trade union movement.

Young people are affected by racism and prejudice. It is important that there is opportunity during the school week to build positive attitudes and to ensure children and young people can develop the ability to think critically and independently.

As a movement we must take a stand.

In response, the Together Alliance has united more than 500 civil society organisations to reject the politics of hate — the NEU stands proud as an active member of this broad coalition.

Through co-ordinated organising and mobilisation, the Alliance is working to push back against growing voices of division and champion a message of hope, solidarity and unity.

On March 28, half a million people joined the Together demonstration in London, a display of collective strength and a powerful reminder that communities across the country are standing up against extremism.

But we cannot stop there — the recent shocking events in Dover and Portsmouth are a reminder that unchallenged the far-right threat continues.  

But when we come together, we are stronger than hate. That’s why the Together Alliance is hosting two summits, North and South, to build power and plan action.

We urge anyone involved in a local trade union branch, campaign organisation, faith group or community group to join us in the fight to slow, halt and reverse the rise of the far right in our communities.

The NEU will continue to resist the rise of the far right and work in solidarity across the trade union movement and beyond to oppose all forms of racism, fascism and extremism.

Alongside work to challenge the far right, Andy Burnham’s government needs to deliver the change that people are crying out for and voted for in the 2024 general election.

If this change does not happen quickly enough, we risk sleepwalking into the disaster that would see Reform UK taking power after the next election.

Daniel Kebede is general secretary of the National Education Union.

Find out more about the Organise Together summits at www.togetheralliance.org.uk/organise-together.