GMB boss says Reform UK are ‘no friends of workers’ – Daily Business

Reform UK is made up of “chancers and bankers’, said GMB boss in an addresses to the union’s annual congress today. 

The trade union’s General Secretary Gary Smith attacked Nigel Farage’s party for opposing a series of workers’ rights and praised new plans to protect employees.

His comments on Reform follow Nigel Farage’s declaration that it is now the party of working people as it stands up to job losses in the North Sea and elsewhere. It also called for the nationalisation of British Steel.

But at the opening of the GMB congress in Brighton, Mr Smith told members: “Let’s get one thing clear – Mr Farage and his ex-Tory soulmates are no friends of workers.  

“They’ve spent a political lifetime attacking trade unions and the rights we have all fought so hard for. Decent pay, better conditions, protections we cherish. 

“By the way, why is it always the posh, private schoolboys who want act like they’re working-class heroes?  Do they really think we can’t see the bankers, the chancers, the anti-union blowhards? 

“If Reform are so pro-worker, why did they just vote against protections against fire and rehire? Why did they vote against sick pay for all workers? Why did they vote against fair pay for carers? Why did they vote against trade union rights to access and organise in places like Amazon? 

“Now they are going to run town halls. And, the first thing they want to do is sack council workers.

“Of course, Mr Farage has also threatened the NHS. And, he is notoriously weak about Putin. 

On Labour, Mr Smith said: “The new Employment Rights Bill is… the biggest, most positive step in trade union rights in 50 years.  

“But, Labour don’t always make it easy to rally to their banner. Congress, it is less than a year since Labour won its landslide. There was a feeling of real hope, real change. Where there could be a common endeavour in rebuilding our country. Where GMB was willing to play our part. 

“But mistakes have been made. My message to the Government is simple – listen. Listen to GMB. Listen and think again.”