Union boss warns of Donald Trump ‘cautionary story’ to UK in swipe at Nigel Farage
A union boss has warned Donald Trump’s assault on workers should be a “cautionary tale” for Britain in a swipe at Nigel Farage’s Reform UK.
General Secretary of the Trades Union Congress, Paul Nowak, accused the US President of “torching workers’ rights and slashing public services” in his first weeks in power.
Mr Nowak said the American leader had promised to champion working people before returning to the White House, adding: “This is what happens when you let the political fraudsters of the populist right in.”
Speaking during a visit to Washington DC, he said: “He’s empowered unelected tech billionaire – and union buster – Elon Musk to fire thousands of essential government workers.”
TUC chief Mr Nowak added: “Nigel Farage is making the same bogus claims about being on the side of working people here in the UK. But you should judge a man by his record and the company he keeps.”
Firing a warning shot to voters as the Reform UK party gains traction in the national polls, he highlighted Mr Farage’s close relationship with the erratic US President.
Mr Musk, the world ’s richest man, also held an hour-long meeting with the former Ukip leader in December amid speculation he could donate to Reform UK.
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Just weeks later the Tesla founder suggested Mr Farage “doesn’t have what it takes” and suggested he quit as leader of the right-wing party with five MPs in Westminster.
Mr Nowak said: “As well as spending vast amounts of time kowtowing to Trump and Musk, Farage and his Reform MPs have voted against the Employment Rights Bill at every stage.
“Given the choice of supporting legalisation that will boost worker protections and incomes – Farage and Reform have chosen instead to be on the side of bad bosses, zero hours contracts and fire and rehire.”
The landmark Employment Rights Bill – spearheaded by Deputy PM Angela Rayner – promises to ban exploitative zero hours contracts and boost sick pay provisions for workers.
It will also end the practice of bosses firing and rehiring staff on worse terms while preventing parental and bereavement leave from day one and repealing anti-strike laws imposed by the Tories. All five Reform UK MPs, including Mr Farage, voted against the Bill at its second reading in the Commons last year.
The TUC chief’s comments came as he appeared at an event held by the International Monetary Fund and World Bank to bring together leaders from the global union movement.
