Britain’s largest instructing union manufacturers Reform ‘racist’ amid plans to fight ‘far proper’ and cosy as much as Greens

Britain’s largest teaching union has branded Reform UK ‘racist’ and unveiled proposals to ‘combat the far right’ in classrooms.

The National Education Union (NEU) blamed party leader Nigel Farage for ‘rising incidents of racism’ in schools.

General Secretary Daniel Kebede said it was becoming ‘ever more likely’ the party will form the next government, making education a ‘hostile place for children who are LGBT, black, migrant, refugee.’

And the union revealed it is set to vote this month on mobilising its half a million members against the ‘divisive politics of Reform UK’.

As part of the effort, branch chiefs want to ‘disseminate anti-racist teaching materials’ for classroom use.

In a wide-ranging briefing, the union also revealed Zack Polanski of the Greens will be the only political leader to give a speech at its annual conference this year, as he is currently ‘the most favoured politician’ among members.

Yesterday, Reform UK hit back at the comments, saying they ‘show everything that is wrong with our education system.’

Suella Braverman, the party’s education spokesman, said: ‘Unions are driving down standards and failing teachers, parents, and children by supporting a dumbing down of the curriculum and promoting sexualised content in our schools. 

Britain’s largest teaching union has branded Reform UK ‘racist’ and unveiled proposals to ‘combat the far right’ in classrooms (pictured: Reform leader Nigel Farage with party colleagues Richard Tice and Suella Braverman)

The National Education Union (NEU) blamed party leader Nigel Farage for ‘rising incidents of racism’ in schools (pictured: General Secretary Daniel Kebede)

‘Reform UK doesn’t care about your skin colour, your gender, or your religion. We want a world-class education system that is built on love of our country, excellence and high standards, not ridiculous DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) policies that are poisoning the minds of young people.’

The campaign against Reform UK is contained in a motion due to be voted on at the NEU’s annual conference in Brighton, which starts in just over a week.

If the motion passes, it will commit the NEU to ‘opposing’ the party’s policies and making ‘anti-racism teaching materials’.

The motion also calls for resources to show teachers which ‘expose the Far Right’ and to help them take part in ‘anti-fascist demonstrations’.

It says the NEU should organise transport for members to ‘anti-right-wing counter-demonstrations’.

And it says an article should be published in the union’s official magazine ‘about Reform’ which highlights ‘its opposition to workers’ rights’.

Yesterday, Mr Kebede said the NEU viewed Reform UK as ‘racist, far-right, or similar’.

He added: ‘I do not think Suella Braverman would be a particularly positive force for education. 

The union also revealed Green Party leader Zack Polanski (pictured) will be the only political leader to give a speech at its annual conference this year

‘I think not only will they bring about hyper-austerity in public services, including education, they will make education a real hostile place for children who are LGBT, black, migrant, refugee.’

Mr Kebede said Mr Farage was pushing ‘divisive messages’ across social media platforms.

‘Children and young people are picking up on that very much and that is certainly playing into the classroom,’ he said.

‘We’ve seen rising incidents of racism and other forms of discrimination in schools, and that’s primarily due to a toxic environment created by those in power.’

Teachers are by law required to be politically impartial in the classroom, but are allowed to be politically active in their private lives.

It means any classroom materials the union produces for use with pupils are likely not to mention Reform UK by name.

While the NEU is not officially affiliated with any party, it prides itself on championing Left wing causes.

The latest row comes after the NEU was criticised last year for vowing to produce school resources to ‘raise awareness’ of the situation in Palestine, with Jewish members saying they were likely to be biased against Israel.

And in 2017 it was accused of using teachers’ influence to topple Theresa May’s Tory majority, by campaigning against ‘government cuts’ in the run-up to the election that year.