GMB chief slams reform 'chancers and bankers'

GMB chief Gary Smith slammed reform ‘chancers and bankers’ as he addressed the union’s annual congress today [Sunday].

The GMB General Secretary also praised Labour’s Employment Rights Bill, while urging the party to ‘think again’ on various issues.

GMB’s annual congress takes place in Brighton from 8 – 12 June 2025.

Gary Smith, GMB General Secretary, told congress:

“Let’s get one thing clear - Mr Farage and his ex-Tory soulmates are no friends of workers.

“They’ve spent a political lifetime attacking trade unions and the rights we have all fought so hard for. Decent pay, better conditions, protections we cherish.

By the way, why is it always the posh, private schoolboys who want act like they’re working-class heroes.

“Do they really think we can’t see the bankers, the chancers, the anti-union blowhards?

“If Reform are so pro-worker, why did they just vote against protections against fire and rehire? Why did they vote against sick pay for all workers? Why did they vote against fair pay for carers? Why did they vote against trade union rights to access and organise in places like Amazon?

“Now they are going to run town halls. And, the first thing they want to do is sack council workers.

“It’s high time they were called out for their sneering, snooty attitude about so-called ‘gold-plated’ pensions. Go ask a local authority care worker, refuse collector, street cleaner, school support staff member if they think they’re meagre pension is gold-plated. Many can’t even afford to be in it.

“Reform’s abuse and name-calling of low-paid public sector workers is an utter disgrace.

“Of course, Mr Farage has also threatened the NHS. And, he is notoriously weak about Putin.

On Labour, Mr Smith said:

The new Employment Rights Bill is....the biggest, most positive step in trade union rights in 50 years.

“But, Labour don’t always make it easy to rally to their banner. Congress, it is less than a year since Labour won its landslide. There was a feeling of real hope, real change. Where there could be a common endeavour in rebuilding our country. Where GMB was willing to play our part.

“But mistakes have been made. My message to the Government is simple – listen. Listen to GMB. Listen and think again.”