Unions rebuff Farage and say Reform ‘cosplaying’ as workers’ champions

Major trade unions and the Trades Union Congress (TUC) have rejected Nigel Farage's invitation for unions to affiliate with Reform UK, stating the party is "cosplaying" as champions of workers and has historically opposed new employment rights. Farage issued this call on Tuesday, inviting unions to Reform's conference and suggesting one union was close to affiliating. Leaders from the TUC, GMB, and Unison explicitly rebuffed the affiliation proposal. This comes amid reports of rising support for Reform UK among union members. The unions' stance highlights a significant divergence between the party's outreach and the established labor movement's principles and legislative history. Reform UK's platform and voting record on workers' rights were cited as reasons for the rejection, indicating a lack of alignment with the core concerns of organized labor.