The recent successes of Reform UK at the ballot box – including a by-election win in Runcorn and the Doncaster mayoralty – have understandably caused a stir in political and trade union circles. As General Secretary of Solidarity, I believe we must take these developments seriously and respond with clarity and resolve. Let me be clear: in my personal opinion, Nigel Farage is no friend of working people.
I understand why some working-class voters are tempted by Farage and his Reform UK movement. They are fed up. Years of neglect, stagnant wages, crumbling public services, and a political establishment that appears more interested in spin than substance have left many disillusioned. Farage appears to speak plainly and taps into genuine frustrations. That appeal should not be dismissed or ridiculed. But it should be challenged, because behind the rhetoric lies a record that working people must be made aware of.
Farage’s Voting Record: Repeatedly Opposed to Workers’ Rights
As the Trades Union Congress (TUC) recently revealed, Farage’s voting record speaks volumes. Time and again, he has voted against the interests of the very people he claims to represent:
- He voted against banning zero-hours contracts, which trap workers in uncertainty and insecurity.
- He opposed banning ‘fire and rehire’, a cruel tactic allowing employers to sack workers and offer them worse terms.
- He voted against sick pay from day one, leaving workers vulnerable when they fall ill.
- He rejected stronger protections for pregnant workers.
- He voted against collective bargaining rights and trade union access in workplaces.
This isn’t a handful of votes taken out of context. It’s a pattern. A worldview that prioritises deregulation, corporate interests and weakening the power of organised labour. That’s why the focus of all trade unions, in my view, must be on exposing this anti-worker record every time Reform UK is discussed.
Farage’s Persona vs. Farage’s Politics
Farage has built his brand as an anti-establishment rebel. Many see him as someone who is willing to say what others won’t. But we must ask: who benefits from his policies? Paul Nowak of the TUC put it well when he described Farage as a “political fraud cosplaying as a working-class champion.”
Reform UK’s economic platform, far from supporting workers, offers a Thatcherite rehash:
- £50 billion in public service cuts.
- Slashing corporation tax from 25% to 15%, giving more to big business.
- No plan for raising wages or expanding workplace rights.
This is not a programme for social justice or economic renewal. It’s the same old trickle-down economics, dressed up with a Union Jack.
Understanding the Appeal, Changing the Conversation
To defeat Farage and Reform UK, we must first understand why their message resonates. People are angry – and rightly so. But anger must be channelled toward those responsible: the employers who exploit, the politicians who betray, the system that puts profit over people.
The job of trade unions is not only to defend workers at the workplace but also to provide clarity in the public debate where workers rights are at issue. In that spirit, I urge all unions to put Reform UK’s record on workers’ rights front and centre in our campaigning.
We need to:
- Challenge the myth that Farage stands with ordinary people.
- Remind voters what his voting record really says.
- Offer a clear, alternative vision rooted in solidarity, justice, and dignity at work.
What Solidarity Stands For
At Solidarity, we stand unapologetically for working people. That means:
- Fighting for secure jobs and decent pay.
- Defending collective bargaining and union rights.
- Demanding fair sick pay, pensions, and protection for the vulnerable.
- Building unity, not scapegoating the marginalised.
We also believe in having an open, honest discussion about migration, immigration and refugee policy. That conversation should aim to achieve a fair and humane policy – one that is grounded in reality and guided by compassion, while also maintaining the support of the British people. We want a harmonious national consensus, not culture wars or scapegoating.
The future for our class will not be won by blaming migrants, attacking public services, or cutting taxes for the rich. It will be won by building power from the ground up.
Nigel Farage may talk like he understands working people, but his record shows otherwise. Let’s make sure everyone knows it.
In solidarity,
Pat Harrington
General Secretary, Solidarity