TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak accused Reform UK of ‘selling out’ ordinary people by opposing workers rights reforms and backing Donald Trump whose trade tariffs threaten jobs
Nigel Farage and pal Richard Tice are “right-wing con men lining their own pockets”, the head of the trade union movement has said.
In a savage take-down, TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak accused Reform UK of “selling out” ordinary people by opposing workers rights reforms and backing Donald Trump whose tariffs threaten British industry.
He told delegates in Brighton: “There is a world of difference between what Nigel says and what Nigel does. Every single Reform MP, including Mr Farage, voted against a ban on fire and rehire, against banning zero hours contracts and against day one rights for millions of workers.
“Here’s my challenge to Nigel Farage. Say you stand up for working people? Then ignore your wealthy backers and vote for that Employment Rights Bill.
“Say you stand up for British industry? Then stop supporting Donald Trump and his destructive tariffs.”
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He said it was time for Mr Farage to “come clean” about whose side he is on, adding: “Here’s the truth – you’re not representing working people, you are selling them out.”
Mr Nowak went on: “To those who voted Reform at the last election, and to those who are considering voting for Reform, I get your frustration with mainstream politics.
“I get your sense that change isn’t coming fast enough and I respect your right to vote for whoever you choose.
“But ask yourself this fundamental question – do you believe, in your gut, that Nigel Farage really cares about the people of Clacton, when he is off collecting his speaker fees in the United States?
“That Richard Tice really worries about the people of Skegness, while he’s living it up at home in Dubai? Or are they just right-wing con-men, lining their own pockets?”
Mr Nowak said the Conservatives were shedding the last of their credibility, and branded Tory right-winger Robert Jenrick an “opportunistic xenophobe”.
He also called on Keir Starmer to “show working class communities whose side you are on” by standing firm on worker rights reforms.
Some union leaders are nervous that the Employment Rights Bill could be watered down when it comes back to Parliament next week.
The flagship reforms, championed by Angela Rayner, will deliver day one rights to workers and ban bad bosses from employing workers on exploitative zero hours contracts, or firing and rehiring their staff on worse terms.
Ms Rayner’s departure from Government and the sacking of Justin Madders, regarded as one of the architects of the plans, has fuelled concerns.
The TUC leader warned that Labour was elected on a manifesto promising change, but for too many people, “change feels like a slogan”.
He said: “My message to the Government is simply this – deliver the manifesto on which you won a huge majority last July.
“Deliver good jobs, decent public services and better living standards in every corner of the country. Deliver the change people voted for and show working-class communities whose side you are on.”
Mr Nowak renewed his calls for the Chancellor to slap taxes on wealth, taking a swipe at Jeff Bezos by quipping: “If billionaires can afford fleets of private yachts, day trips into space, weddings that shut down Venice, they can pay a bit more tax.”
He also piled pressure on the Government to axe the Tory two-child benefit limit. He said: “Make it clear – a Labour government will never stand aside and watch a child’s potential be wasted because of poverty. Lift the two-child cap and give our kids the future they deserve.”
Earlier, Defence Minister Luke Pollard said the workers rights reforms would be delivering, saying: “We’re not rowing back on this.”
He added: “We are pro-worker and pro-business as a government, and let’s be absolutely clear, the workers’ rights legislation, the biggest single upgrade of workers’ rights in a generation is one that the prime minister’s committed to, every single Labour MP is committed to, because it was in our manifesto. It’s going through Parliament. It will enhance workers’ rights for everyone in work.”
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