AS TRADE unionists from across our movement descend on Tolpuddle this weekend, we gather at a time of significant global turbulence.

No issue has greater notoriety than the sickening violence in Gaza and the West Bank. Unite sends its solidarity to the Palestinian people. Who are enduring unimaginable privations and constant risk to life and limb. Unite’s conference last week totally committed the union to solidarity with Palestine. Condemning all acts of violence. Conference recognised the many thousands of lives lost, and terrible injuries suffered to women, children, and men.

July marks one year since Keir Starmer moved into 10 Downing Street. An anniversary that we may mark, but probably very few workers will celebrate.

Decisions to largely accept the financial straitjacket that previous governments have placed on the economy have resulted in attacks on winter fuel payments and welfare spending. Both proposals were announced in haste and have led to widespread condemnation and then humiliating backtracking. 

Workers are mystified that given the financial problems facing by the government there has been no introduction of a wealth tax on the richest in society. Just benefit cuts for working people. These are irresponsible choices, made by a Labour government that needs to find its moral compass.

The reality is that all too often welfare payments are subsiding bad employers. The government insists that benefit cuts will help people into work, implying that claimants are workshy. It’s just not true. Together with the winter fuel debacle, these political misjudgements have seriously damaged Labour and will come back to haunt them in future elections.

It isn’t just nationally where workers are rightly angry with Labour. Look at the situation in Birmingham. Already low-paid refuse workers face losing up to a quarter of their pay (£8,000). Following cuts being imposed by a supposedly Labour council, effectively being run by Tory-imposed commissioners, who have been retained by the Labour government and only answerable to the Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner.

After weeks of prevarication and false claims to be engaged in imaginary negotiations, the council is now trying to make the workers redundant which amounts to fire and rehire by any other name. Unite stands full square with the bin workers, regardless of how long the dispute takes.

Labour needs to decide whether it stands on the side of working-class communities, or the wealthiest in society. To give working people fresh hope or leave the political future of our nation to prevailing winds. In the dark recesses of workers’ frustrations, Reform stands to gain from feelings of despair.

This a terrible indictment following just 12 months in office. 

The signals from Labour are negative. Starmer’s description of us “as an island of strangers” flirts with the narrative of the far right. It plays dangerously into the hands of those seeking to politicise through division.

At our conference over 800 delegates, from workplaces more diverse than in any other union, overwhelmingly voted to review our union’s relationship with Labour.

The responding noises from the party have been dismissive and disrespectful. Only arrogant and foolish politicians would ignore such a clear warning bell. The party that supposedly represents working people, families and communities, should not underestimate the anger and frustration of workers and their representatives.

Labour needs to appreciate that Unite will always support members against attacks by employers, or politicians — no matter the colour of their rosettes. 

Unite South West sends fraternal greetings to all those attending Tolpuddle this weekend. Above all, we send our solidarity to all workers in dispute.

Steve Preddy is regional secretary of Unite’s South West region.