Firefighters have launched a campaign warning voters of the dangers of the Reform UK party ahead of the Runcorn and Helsby by-election.
Reform UK is seeking to increase its share of the vote in the constituency from the 18% it received in the 2024 general election, with Nigel Farage visiting the constituency three times in recent weeks.
Ahead of polls opening on 1 May, firefighters are distributing leaflets drawing attention to Reform UK policies including cutting public spending for the NHS, schools and fire service, supporting private healthcare, and a track record of voting against better workers' rights in parliament.
Steve Wright, Fire Brigades Union general secretary, said:
Trade unions have a responsibility to take a leading role in countering the rise of the far right. Farage and Reform present a direct threat to workers’ rights in our country.
Reform is a part of the establishment. We cannot allow their divisive anti-migrant politics to pit workers against each other.
Their policies and track record speak for themselves: threatening to slash and privatise public services, voting against improvements to working conditions in parliament.
Firefighters and other public sector workers are warning of the dangers that this far-right party presents to all voters.”
Jack Fellows, a firefighter in Runcorn, said:
It’s our duty as firefighters to fight for what is right and stand up for public services. We cannot stand by while Nigel Farage and his party attempt to divide our community.
Firefighters do not trust Reform. Farage pretends to be anti-establishment and a man of the people, but he was born rich and worked as a stockbroker. He doesn’t represent us. We see through the spin – his party is interested in protecting profits and the interests of the rich above everything else.
Reform has no place in Runcorn and Helsby.”
