People join civil society groups led by Stand Up To Racism during a counter-protest against a rally endorsed by Tommy Robinson in central London, October 26, 2024
UNISON must fight against the rise of Reform UK and the far right, delegates told the conference today.
The unprecedented nine-page motion, which demonstrated the strength of feeling across branches, argued that anti-immigrant and Islamophobic abuse, including from mainstream politicians, was on the rise.
Ade from the national black members’ committee said our task was clear “and that was to push back against parties of the far right.”
He said the far right had been “emboldened” and their views are being echoed by so-called mainstream lawmakers in parliaments, adding: “Far-right agitators exploiting tragedies to sow divisions.
“We must not allow divisions to take hold and for workers to be divided against each other.”
North West delegate Glen Williams said his region had a “very proud history of standing up against the far right and fascists.
“But we failed years ago when the BNP’s Nick Griffin was elected to the European Parliament in the region.
“But we organised and we sent the BNP packing.”
He also told of when the White Men March came to Liverpool they were sent packing and forced to hide in the railway station.
Mr Williams said: “We have to get smarter about how we take on the fascists.
“We must not be silent and we must not be bystanders.”
Barnet delegate Helen Davis told the conference how she was forced to organise a counter-demo against the fascists in Finchley where around 3,000 turned out to oppose them.
Emma Proctor from the East Midlands said: “In our region the threat is already here. Reform UK runs six councils.
“They target our members, vilify trade unions and scapegoat migrants.
“Reform UK stokes divisions and it’s our members who are left to pull the pieces together.”
She added: “Unison will never allow the politics of hate to define our future.”
Eilleen Best, of Unison’s national LGBT+ committee, said the LGBT+ community are often one of the first to be targeted by the far right.
She said: “It was a deliberate strategy of hate that aims to weaken our movement.
“We need LGBT+ voices not just in the run-up but helping to lead the charge against division.”
As delegates meet in Brighton this week, Unison faces pressing questions about pay, organising, workers’ rights and political representation, explains ANDY CHAFFER
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