Ros Wynne-Jones pens the Real Britain segment weekly in the Daily Mirror, advocating against government cutbacks and championing the cause of regular citizens.
In a recent incident at the end of August, a cluster of individuals carrying flags and ladders made their way to the heart of Brighton city. Flags representing St. George and the Union Jack were hoisted on lampposts and affixed to store fronts. Workers tasked with removing the flags, in compliance with the Highway Act that prohibits attaching items to ‘highway fixtures,’ faced verbal abuse.
During a gathering of numerous trade unionists at the Brighton Centre conference venue yesterday, Paul Nowak, the General Secretary of the TUC, directed a message towards the flag demonstrators, who have been associated with anti-migrant protests at hotels.
“I recognize that people take pride in the Union Jack, St. George’s Cross, the Saltire, and the Red Dragon,” he remarked. “However, patriotism encompasses much more than flags.
“As the generation of 1945 understood, true patriotism involves constructing decent residences and ensuring no one gets left behind.
“It entails generating quality employment opportunities so individuals do not languish in poverty and can take pride in their work. Genuine patriotism never involves defacing people’s residences or businesses with graffiti or intimidating our acquaintances and neighbors.
“That behavior is not patriotism and should bring shame to anyone who loves this country.”
Speaking at the 80th Congress post-World War II, Nowak, whose ancestry includes migrants from Ireland, Poland, and China, disclosed, “Congress, the far right, and populist right do not care about the working class, they do not represent the working class, and they never will.
“That is our responsibility.”
While Reform UK wrapped up its own conference in Birmingham, the 157th Trade Union Congress commenced in Brighton, uniting trade unionists from all over the UK under the September sun.
Nowak’s call for ‘authentic’ patriotism in contrast to Reform and other right-wing parties came as Deputy Leader Richard Tice suggested Ukraine should accept a “difficult compromise” regarding NATO membership.
Furthermore, just days after leader Farage was denounced as a “Putin-supporting free speech pretender” by Democrat Jamie Raskin during his testimony at the US Congress.
From the conference platform, the TUC General Secretary, an alliance of 48 affiliated unions representing five million workers, offered Labour guidance on challenging a hard-right party purporting to speak for the working class.
“To those who supported Reform in the previous election and those contemplating backing Reform,” Nowak expressed, “I understand your frustration with mainstream politics.
“I comprehend your perception that change is not happening swiftly enough. I respect your right to vote for whomever you choose. But ask yourself this fundamental question. Do you truly believe, deep down, that Nigel Farage genuinely cares about the people of Clacton while he is busy collecting speaking fees in the United States?
“Does Richard Tice genuinely worry about the residents of Skegness while living luxuriously in Dubai?”
Attendees in Brighton are well aware that many Reform UK voters are disenchanted with all politicians and, a year following the general election, are still grappling with the direct repercussions of the cost-of-living crisis.
At a fringe session organized by HOPE not Hate, union leaders from ASLEF, Unison, the Bakers Union, and others emphasized that Labour’s groundbreaking workers’ rights reforms – possibly jeopardized by the departure of the bill’s advocate, Angela Rayner – remain the sole means to counter Nigel Farage’s assertion that Reform UK represents the ‘Workers’ Party.’
Nowak’s directive to Labour was straightforward. “Demonstrate to the working class that you are on their side.”
In response, the government affirmed it was “fully supporting” the bill – leading Reform UK to face the challenge.
Yesterday, Nowak directly challenged Reform’s leaders: “Disregard your affluent supporters and endorse the Employment Rights Bill,” he urged. “Nigel Farage, it is time to be transparent about whose side you genuinely stand on.”