PCS pledges to continue to challenge and fight against the far right 

In passing conference motion A344, delegates endorsed the promotion of politics of compassion, justice, equality and humanity for all.

The motion expressed alarm that Reform peddled a manifesto steeped in racist, far-right, rhetoric which targeted the most vulnerable, trade unions, disabled people and refugees, whilst spouting support for tax dodging billionaires, increased privatisation and cuts to vital public services. It said now is the time for action in our communities and workplaces as well as the nation parliaments and Westminster to tackle the presence of Reform and the unnerving increase in support for their racist ideals and divisive economic approach.

Marianne Owens, who moved the motion on behalf of our national executive committee, said: “I think we need to be clear Reform are not our friends, they are the biggest threat. They are a party that are steeped in controversy. We as a union have got a responsibility to expose this party for what it really is, a party for the billionaire class, a home for racists, misogynists, and bigots, those that forward the capitalist agenda, and those that don't value public sector or civil service jobs. They propose that if they get in at the next general election, they'll cut over 68 000 jobs in the civil service and do the exact opposite of what we're fighting for.

“I don't think it was a surprise to any of us, but it certainly underlined things when we saw the results of the elections. For first time, what we have now is Reform being the second party in the Senedd and the joint second party in Holyrood and the consequences of that are the consequences of that disengagement with the traditional party systems.”

Marianne also said it is time for electoral change as Reform is predicted to win 434 parliamentary seats at the next general election on a 32% vote share. She said we need to build a strong campaign with Politics for the Many to push for proportional representation in the run-up to the next general election and work to establish regional seminars with relevant tutors and experts in this field.

Faika from HMRC Stratford said she has never seen anything like the rise of the far-right in her lifetime.

“People like myself can’t go to work without being attacked. I witness people getting attacked just because of the way they look,” she said. “This is a union matter because we are being attacked.”

The motion instructed the NEC to challenge racism and division by ensuring our anti-racism and anti-fascism strategy is fully embedded in our workplaces. It also called for the establishment of training, education and learning sessions, led by our campaigns and education teams, to be rolled out in our regions, groups and branches, and for the union to reaffirm its support for campaigning organisations such as Stand up to Racism, Together Alliance, Show Racism the Red Card and Hope not Hate.

The motion was overwhelmingly carried.

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