Rise of far right presents imminent threat to UK workers’ rights, says firefighter union conference

The FBU this week described the rise of the Reform UK party as an “imminent threat to workers in the UK”.

At the union’s annual conference, firefighter delegates today passed a motion calling for the trade union and labour movement internationally and in the UK to “urgently prepare themselves for the onslaught of the far right.”

It commits the union to “mobilise FBU members to counter the threat of the far right, on the streets and in our communities.”

The move follows Keir Starmer’s echoing of Enoch Powell’s infamous “rivers of blood” speech by using the phrase “island of strangers” in a recent speech on migration.

The union’s general secretary, Steve Wright said that the FBU would use its Labour affiliation to push for an alternative vision. The Fire Brigades Union general secretary said:

“The rising influence and electoral gains of the far-right presents an imminent threat to workers in the UK.

Reform UK is listed as a private company, with multimillionaire property developer Richard Tice pulling the strings alongside Nigel Farage. It is a party of big business masquerading as anti-establishment.

Trump is setting a precedent in the US, attacking jobs and living standards of US workers while promoting tax cuts for billionaires.

These profiteers are seeking power with the aim of driving extreme privatisation and deregulation. Worker’s wages, living standards and fundamental democratic rights will come under vicious attack.

If all the Labour government can do is echo Reform’s rhetoric and attack migrants, we face a dangerous future. Surrendering to the far-right will not defeat it.

As a Labour affiliated union, we will be making that case through the NEC, at party conference and with ministers.

The only alternative is to offer a vision of hope. That starts with a wealth tax and an end to austerity.”