Trade unionists organise counter-demonstration against Tommy Robinson and the far right

Today, rank-and-file activists from across the trade union movement - along with socialist and feminist organisations - held a demonstration on the steps of St Martin-in-the-Fields, on the route of the Unite the Kingdom march. We did this to directly oppose the far right as they travelled past to their assembly point - and to put forward positive, class-based politics, as the vital alternative to the divisive scapegoating of marginalised people, which reaches out to disenfranchised workers and communities.

The politics of Tommy Robinson, Reform and the wider far right offer no solutions to declining living standards, stagnant wages and lack of affordable housing.
History demonstrates the power of unions and class solidarity - to raise our living standards and break the barriers between workers. Unions can offer a better vision for society, uniting under a working-class political platform - to take on the rich and powerful, build homes and invest in jobs and public services for everyone - and directly countering any and all attacks on marginalised people.

For decades unions have outsourced the fight against the far right to external organisations that present no political alternative - speaking at their rallies and giving them publicity, but not mobilising or educating their members.

Today’s demonstration represents the start of a shift in that culture.

To keep attendees safe, we disassembled after a short, politically focused demonstration. The police shut off Trafalgar Square to prevent us from gathering where we intended - another example of how the labour movement must be able to rely on its own forces, and not on repressive state apparatus, for safety.

Our demonstration was called after our open letter to the TUC, which called on our national leaderships to lead in fighting the far right - as they have in the past. Today, they did not join us.

We reiterate our call now that trade unions - from the grassroots to our leaderships - must organise collectively against the far right, in our workplaces, communities and, when necessary, in direct opposition on the streets.

Workers organising have defeated the far right before - we can do it again. Join us.