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Griffin celebrates his acquittal

Far-right party courts mainstream with plans to launch a UK workers’ uniond

Following the recent acquittal of BNP leader Nick Griffin, anti-fascist activists have warned that the party is courting the mainstream by setting up its own trade union.

Critics say that the new union, known as ‘Solidarity – The Union for British Workers’, is a ploy by the far-right party to divide the trade union movement, which has up till now brought workers from different ethnicities and religions together.

They allege that the union, which is awaiting full certification, is part of the BNP’s drive to infiltrate mainstream politics.

GAINS

Weyman Bennett, Joint-secretary of the anti-racist group Unite against Facism said the proposed union was a dangerous development.

He said: “Over the last few years the BNP have made worrying gains.”

“In the last election one million people voted for the BNP, the most in the history of the party.

“And there are now 21 BNP councillors, again, the most in history.

“We need to be careful not to get complacent.”

He added: “A union is by its very nature created to bring people together. So the whole concept of a union that may exclude people on the basis of race doesn’t work.

“We need to ensure that there is a thorough investigation into the background of this union before it is fully certified.”

Nick Lowles, editor of anti-facist magazine Searchlight, which first discovered papers outlining the group’s plans, warned against allowing the union certification: “Solidarity claims that it will be a normal trade union, defending the interests of any British worker, but given its views on trade unionism, it may simply be a front for the BNP.

“Searchlight’s exposure of Solidarity and its connection with the BNP will hopefully encourage a more thorough investigation by the Certification Office,” he added.

The union was registered with the trade unions Certification Office – which regulates matters concerning trade unions – shortly before Christmas, but is still awaiting approval.

But after the union’s certification documents came to light, activists have urged the Certification Office to reject the application.

In the Union’s certification documents it says that it aims to “improve the relations between employers and employees throughout all industries served by the union”.

And “to protect, assist and promote the working and living conditions of the citizens of the British Isles”.

It also promises to, “resist and oppose all forms of institutional union corruption” and “promote freedom within and without the Trade Union movement, protecting and promoting freedom of belief, thought and speech, irrespective of political and religious affiliation or creed”.

But critics point out that the wording of the document does not mention race.

And a closer look at the men behind the union reveals its roots in the far right. A Searchlight investigation has alleged that the current President of the union, Patrick Harrington is an ex-chairman and ex-vice-chairman of the National Front.

It also claims he founded a group called ‘Third Way’ in 1990 which claims to reject “racism and the politics of hate” but at the same time argues that cultures should, for their own good, be kept apart, and defended from “mass immigration”.

According to Searchlight magazine, Harrington has developed links with other radical groups including the Nation of Islam and orthodox Jews pursuing “separate development”.

SPIN

Despite this background, trade union officials say that the proposed union is just spin by the party and should not be given undue prominence.

They insist that it is unlikely to receive certification without which it is powerless.

Sir Bill Morris, ex-Chairman of the Transport and General Workers union, also scoffed at the idea.

He said: “This is an attempt by the BNP to infiltrate and try to break up the trade union movement. But I do not think they will be successful.

“In the first case, I don’t think they will be able to receive certification. And, even if they do, trade unionists are savvy enough to see through these tactics.

“Of course there are some racist people out there, and they might support this kind of a union, but they are not part of the main trade union movement anyway,” he said.

“People involved in the mainstream trade union movement are savvy enough to work out their agenda.

“I can’t take them seriously as a threat because I’m sure that only their existing members would give them support,” he added.

- The BNP polled more than 30% at Heanor and Loscoe in Derbyshire's Amber Valley borough. The far-right party came second in the Friday vote, finishing 159 votes short of Labour.

Published: 06 February 2006
Issue: 1204

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