Latest Headlines from Nourish | The Nourish Mission

GMB chief flags Reform attack on workers’ rights at Blackpool congress

What's happened

Gary Smith, general secretary of the GMB, has warned Reform UK’s drive to roll back employment rights during a speech at the union’s annual congress in Blackpool. He says Reform is targeting collective bargaining and protections on sick pay and unfair dismissal, while polls show Labour and Reform tied among unionised workers.

What's behind the headline?

Live, fact-based briefing

  • The GMB is framing Reform UK as a threat to hard-won workers’ rights, contrasting its policy agenda with union priorities.
  • The argument rests on Reform’s stance on union rights and predictably contentious policies such as zero-hours contracts and fire-and-rehire.
  • Poll context cited by the union shows broad support for existing rights, which could dampen Reform’s appeal among workers.
  • Expect continued union-driven pressure on Labour to clarify its stance and strategies as election season approaches.

What this means for readers

  • If you are a union member, you may see intensified campaigns to defend established rights.
  • For employers, expect debates over flexible work arrangements and worker protections to remain in the political foreground.

How we got here

The speech comes as Reform UK campaigns to repeal key provisions of the Employment Rights Act. Polls in March and recent constituency surveys suggest strong public support for protections like guaranteed hours and day-one sick pay, complicating Reform’s labour policy agenda. The GMB remains a key Labour backer, even as tensions surface over party strategy ahead of elections.

Our analysis

The Mirror (Lizzy Buchan) reports the forthcoming GMB speech at Blackpool, highlighting union lines against Reform UK’s agenda. The coverage notes a JL Partners poll showing Labour and Reform tied among unionised workers. The report situates the speech within broader debates about the Employment Rights Act and worker protections.

Go deeper

  • Will Labour’s unions push for specific policy commitments ahead of the next election?
  • How will Reform UK respond to the GMB’s framing of their economic agenda?

More on these topics

Latest Headlines from Nourish | The Nourish Mission