TRADE UNIONISTS at Stand Up To Racism (SUTR’s) annual conference warned of the threat workers face from Reform UK.

Speakers at Saturday’s event in central London highlighted how far-right figures are using the issues facing working-class communities and scapegoating migrants to drive division and weaken the workers’ struggle.

They called for unity and warned that the labour movement would need to provide answers on austerity, healthcare, privatisation, housing and employment issues to grab the argument away from the far right.

NASUWT general secretary and TUC anti-racism task force chairman Patrick Roach told attendees: “During the general election, Reform declared war on our movement, telling our members that [Reform are] pro-worker, stoking fear among workers who are already anxious in a world of big-tech, AI, deindustrialisation and climate change.

“But it’s our movement, not Reform, that’s on the side of working people and families.

“We know that despite their populist rhetoric, their misinformation, the easy answers that they’re peddling, the Reform supporters want better than what they’re being offered by [the party].”

FBU general secretary Steve Wright summed up the far right: “They’re attacking the working class and they are presenting themselves as the anti-Establishment parties.

“But what they’re offering is … division and hatred.”

PCS general secretary Fran Heathcoate warned the electoral threat of Reform is very real, adding: “They offer no solutions to this country’s problems: they only offer scapegoats and are a threat to our public services and communities.

“There is nothing that Reform wants less than a united working class demanding better pay, investment in public services, council housing and decent social security.

“And that is why they work so hard to divert us into blaming migrants and dragging us into ‘culture war’ arguments that are a complete distraction.”

Aslef general secretary Mick Lynch called for the trade union movement to stand together to challenge the rhetoric of far-right voices and Unison national black members’ committee chairman Adejare Oyewole warned that the global rise of the far right “threatens the very fabric of our societies.”

Mr Oyewole said: “History has taught us where this road leads. When one group is targeted it sets a precedent for others to be next. We do not have the luxury of neutrality.

“Unity over division and action over silence,” he urged.

National Education Union general secretary Daniel Kebede’s warning was stark.

“We have got four and a half years until Nigel Farage walks into number 10 — unless we stop him,” he said.

“And it is on us to do that because, let’s be honest, the current Prime Minister is just paving the way for him.”

TUC head of equalities Kudsia Batool said fascism is “directly linked to the erosion of workers’ rights,” adding: “We have to ensure that our movement is strong, united and has the power to challenge economic injustices.”