Tackling the far and populist right
Years of economic insecurity, rising inequality and declining living standards are being felt by millions of working people across the country – with many families struggling to pay their bills and access the services they rely on.
A present and growing threat
The far and populist right are seeking to exploit these pressures by promoting narratives that divide working people and scapegoat minorities.
Across Britain and internationally we have seen rising hostility directed at migrants, refugees, Muslims, LGBT+ communities and others.
Far-right movements attempt to blame these groups for social and economic problems rather than addressing the real causes of inequality and insecurity.
And they present themselves as defenders of working people while promoting policies that undermine workers’ rights, weaken trade unions and deepen division in our communities.
We must not let them get away with their lies and division.
The role of trade unions
Trade unions have always played a central role in challenging racism, hatred and discrimination. We’ve always been at the heart of the anti-far right movements.
By organising workers, improving pay and conditions and strengthening collective bargaining, unions help address the economic insecurity that far-right movements seek to exploit.
Trade unions also bring workers together across communities, challenging attempts to divide people along lines of race, nationality, gender or sexuality.
The workplace remains one of the most powerful spaces to build solidarity and counter narratives that seek to pit working people against each other.
How the TUC is responding
We are responding in six ways:
Building our evidence base
Undertaking and sharing research to better understand the growth of the far and populist right and the narratives used to spread division.Industrial organising
Supporting unions to grow membership and strengthen collective bargaining so workers can improve their pay, rights and job security.Political education
Equipping union reps, activists and officers with the knowledge and skills to challenge far-right narratives their in workplaces and communities.Political interventions
Developing policy responses and campaigning to expose anti-worker agendas and promote policies that improve working people’s lives.International networks
Working with trade unions across Europe and globally to share research, resources and strategies.Communications and campaigning
Ensuring trade union and worker voices are present in public debate and responding to misinformation and far-right narratives online and in the media.
Standing firm in solidarity
The far and populist right is seeking to divide working people and weaken collective power.
As trade unionists, the politics of hate and division are an affront to our core values of solidarity, equality and justice.
History shows that when working people unite and organise, progress follows. Paid holidays. Safer workplaces. The minimum wage. None of these rights were handed down from above. Working people won them by standing together.
By organising in workplaces, challenging discrimination and standing together across communities, we will stand firm against harmful rhetoric that aims to pit different workers and communities against each other.
