‘More in common than divides us’

Tackling the far right ? a crucial debate at this year?s Congress. And Unite wasted no time intervening in this debate.

The composite ?noted with alarm? the ?continued rise of far-right ideologies across the UK and internationally. These ideologies foster division, racism, misogyny, ablism, homophobia and transphobia.?

The composite took into account the years of ?neglect and underinvestment has left millions of working people across the country struggling to pay their bills and access basic services. Many are feeling that nothing in the country works as it should and are disillusioned with national politics.

?These frustrations are being exploited by the far right to fuel their politics of hate and division. This also enabled Reform to take control of 10 councils and one mayoralty at the 2025 elections ? with major implications for local government workers and the communities they serve.?

The composite called on the ?Labour government to be bold in its vision, to push back on far-right narratives ? to end to the demonisation of migrants and refugees ?and to commit to delivering for working people quickly. The surest way to defeat grievance politics is to improve jobs, raise living standards and invest in our public services and communities.?

Among the calls for the TUC General Council to enact were: coordinating the trade union movement to counter far-right ideologies; producing materials to support union workplace representatives to resist far-right ideologies; ensuring union equality reps have statutory paid time off to negotiate with employers; and working with civic society organisations to resist the far right organising.

Speaking in support for Unite was delegate, Taranjit Shukra.

Taranjit opened his contribution by saying, ?Congress, we?re coming at this wrong. Support for Reform UK does not mean forever losing people to the far right.

?I know what you?re trying to say. I understand that Reform and their friends have advocated for some very hurtful things. It might seem like Nigel Farage is untouchable and appears to be a Prime Minister in waiting?

?But let?s look to the polling of like Hope Not Hate and More in Common. Reform voters do not consider themselves far right.

?Let?s talk to them, instead of pushing them away. Reform voters are our people … And there will be Reform voters in this room,? he added.

Taranjit continued that he?d be interested in meeting any such supporters for a friendly discussion later. 

He went on to say that Reform may have many media and social media channels but, ?We have 6m members! We are the voice members listen to when they need help.

?In our workplaces, we can talk directly to our members and organise them. Reform can only dream of such a platform. Our challenge, are we using this platform?

?If you actually listen to the grievances they share outside asylum hotels, do we talk about them??

Taranjit went on to list the many rights for working people that unions have secured ? and yet these same people do not know about them.

In closing he said, ?If we are to win our people back ? back to collectivism, back to our values, back to our movement ? then we must take the lead.

?We have to have the difficult conversations and have positive stories that will improve their lives. We have more in common than divides us.

The composite was carried unanimously.

By Amanda Campbell

Photo by Mark Thomas