C6 Opposing the far right

Composite of motion 9 and amendment, motion 10 and amendment, motion 11 and amendment, and motion 13

Congress believes that the BNP are a racist and fascist organisation with no place in a democratic, diverse society and opposes all forms of racism and rejects the fascist and hate-based ideologies of far-right parties such as the BNP.

Congress believes that the BNP poses a threat to the fabric of our society and is hostile to the values and principles we hold dear as trade unions and professional associations.

Congress is alarmed at the rise of the far right across Europe, the election of two British National Party (BNP) representatives to the European Parliament and an increase in their councillors in June this year means we must address the rise of far right activity urgently.

Congress notes that the collapse in the Labour Party’s vote allowed the BNP to gain electoral success. Policies to combat rising unemployment, invest in public services, halt privatisation and promote equality are needed to counter the disillusionment which fuels support for the far right.

Congress believes that this represents a failure of all political parties to address underlying social and economic problems, which have been heightened by the recession.

Trade unions have always been at the vanguard of the fight against fascism and racial intolerance and must be as resolute now in combating this threat as we have in the past.

Congress recognises that the PFA has been at the forefront of this fight supporting organisations such as Kick It Out and Show Racism the Red Card. The determined and sustained efforts to eradicate racism in football by the PFA and its partners has transformed our national sport. The shameful chapter in English football during the 70s when black players suffered appalling abuse thankfully no longer pervades our game.

Congress notes that members of the BNP are banned from employment in the police and prison services as their hate-filled views are incompatible with the provision of those services to the public, condemns the decision to allow a BNP demonstration to take place on Home Office property and to allow serving civil servants to stand as BNP election candidates. Congress believes that this ban should be extended to employment in all public services.

Congress notes media have a major impact on perceptions of the BNP and media cuts undermine journalists’ ability to investigate the BNP. Congress welcomes media unions’ plans for a Reporting the BNP website to promote guidelines, good practice and encourage rigorous examination of the BNP’s racist and anti-free speech activities.

Congress believes that the BNP is a threat in future elections. Unions have played a crucial role in community campaigns against the BNP and in supporting migrant workers, and Congress believes only strong local organisation will defeat the BNP. It therefore resolves to re-double its opposition to the BNP, calling upon affiliate unions to be involved actively in this campaign, thus sending to all members and the wider electorate a clear and sustained message of opposition to the BNP.

Congress applauds the work of Unite Against Fascism, Love Music Hate Racism, Show Racism the Red Card and Hope not Hate in mobilising society against the BNP and in engaging with the growing number of apathetic voters and believes that a united campaign against the fascists is needed more than ever. History tells us that this is one fight that we just cannot afford to lose.

Congress instructs the General Council to:

i)        develop an economic and social programme that delivers for working class communities

ii)      support all public service staff who, within the law and relevant codes of conduct, do not want to come in to contact with BNP elected representatives and seek to prohibit the sponsorship, management or the governance of public services by members of the BNP

iii)    support measures that make BNP membership incompatible with regulated public service jobs such as police staff, teachers, doctors, nurses and others as appropriate

iv)    seek an urgent meeting with government representatives to raise the issue of an extension to the ban on the employment of members of fascist and racist organisations in the public services, as applies in the prison service

v)      advise all unions, with and without a political fund, how they can consistently campaign effectively and legally outside and during election periods

vi)    urgently assist all unions in updating their rule books in light of the Employment Act 2008 to enable them to exclude and expel the BNP and others of the far right, with an update to Congress in 2010 and continue to press for the legal right for trade unions to expel members of far right parties without penalty

vii)  campaign against websites such as Redwatch

viii)            organise through regional TUCs in England (and with WTUC, STUC and ICTU) joint union campaigns within local communities, using resources such as Searchlight and Unite Against Fascism

ix)    call urgently a national demonstration against the BNP involving trade unions and other organisations, including Unite Against Fascism, Searchlight, and Love Music Hate Racism.

Mover:  UNISON
Seconder:  Public and Commercial Services Union

Supporters:  Napo, Professional Footballers’ Association, NASUWT, POA, National Union of Journalists