Major UK unions reject Reform UK affiliation over workers’ rights concerns
Union chiefs describe Reform’s overtures as “cosplaying” as workers’ champions, pointing to the party’s opposition to new employment rights and alignment with corporate interests.
Leaders of the Trades Union Congress (TUC), GMB, and Unison have formally rejected an invitation from Nigel Farage for their unions to affiliate with Reform UK. The refusal follows Farage’s public call for unions to attend the party’s national conference in September and consider affiliation, during which he claimed the party supports "working people" and does not treat organised labour with contempt. Union leaders described Reform’s overtures as "cosplaying" as workers’ champions, citing the party’s opposition to new employment rights and its alignment with corporate interests.
Paul Nowak, TUC general secretary, stated that Reform plans to repeal key workers’ rights, including day one sick pay, protection from fire-and-rehire practices, and safeguards against zero-hours contracts. Nowak alleged that Reform is "bankrolled by corporate interests and crypto billionaires" seeking to rig rules in favour of the wealthy. He pointed to past comments from Reform MP Andrea Jenkyns, who stated she "doesn’t like trade unions" and criticised the employment rights bill, as evidence of the party’s stance.
Andrea Egan, Unison general secretary, characterised Farage’s approach as a "con" driven by "cold, hard cash," noting that Reform has consistently voted against measures to improve basic rights and fair pay. She argued that the party’s interest in unions is not genuine but rather a strategic move, asserting that Reform does not believe in basic rights or fair pay.
Gary Smith, GMB general secretary, labelled Reform "rebadged Tories" and accused the party of targeting the right to organise and collectively bargain, particularly in workplaces such as Amazon. Smith warned of a "cancel culture" within Reform that he claimed is aimed at union members’ rights, rejecting the notion that the party supports "metal bashers."
Despite the rejection, a recent poll by JL Partners indicated that Labour and Reform UK are tied at 28% of the union vote, with members of Unite and GMB showing higher likelihoods of supporting Reform. Currently, eleven trade unions are affiliated with the Labour party, but the shifting sentiment among members highlights the evolving political landscape regarding trade union affiliations.