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Reform UK’s anti-trade union mayor of Greater Lincolnshire was invited to speak at a Unite union event, despite the party’s opposition to trade unions and workers rights.
Former Conservative minister, turned Reform politician, Andrea Jenkyns, who insisted recently that “I don’t like trade unions” and has opposed measures to increase workers’ rights, was invited to attend the union’s rally against the potential closure of Prax Lindsey Oil Refinery, a major employer in North Lincolnshire that is set to shut down after failing to find a new buyer.
Prax, the firm which owns the refinery, filed for insolvency in June this year, leading the UK Government to provide emergency funding and appoint insolvency practitioners to keep the refinery open whilst new buyers are sought. Over 600 jobs are at risk, and it now appears that there has been no luck in finding a new buyer.
Reform UK has seized on the potential closure and blamed it on Net Zero policies – namely high energy bills.
As well as Reform’s Andrea Jenkyns, Conservative MP Martin Vickers also addressed the Unite rally at the site in July.
That’s despite the Conservatives and Reform UK opposing Labour’s landmark Employment Rights Bill which will meet unions’ long-standing calls to repeal a raft of anti-union laws, ban nearly all zero hours contracts and give workers protections on day one of employment.
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Jenkyns told Jeremy Vine’s show over the weekend: “I’ll be honest with you, I don’t like trade unions.” She attacked the Employment Rights Bill, branding the new rights “ridiculous” and opposed Unite-backed calls for a wealth tax.
“You don’t want workers to have power?” the Mirror’s Kevin Maguire asked.
“I want workers to have rights, but it’s got ridiculous now,” Jenkyns replied, as reported by Left Foot Forward.
Asked why Jenkyns and Vickers were invited to the July rally for Lindsey workers, a Unite spokesperson told Byline Times: “Unite’s priority is always on defending the jobs, pay and conditions of its members. Local politicians from all political parties attended the rally on 24 July where the priority was saving jobs and keeping the oil refinery open.
‘Unite has been crystal clear that the UK Government must use every resource available to protect jobs, skills, local communities, supply chains and the livelihoods of thousands of families that would be affected by a closure of Lindsey Oil refinery.”
The union spokesperson added: “Unite has a longstanding campaign for a workers’ transition in the oil and gas sector. Unite is not against net zero but we have been clear that it will not be achieved without serious investment in new jobs. If Lindsey is closed it will be the second refinery to go under this Labour government without a concrete plan for jobs.”
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They added that Unite has “warned ministers time after time” about the need for investment in the sector.
A report from the publication The Socialist of the rally states: “Unite, the main trade union at the site, organised a midday protest rally outside Grimsby Town Hall on 24 July, attended by around 250 workers. Unfortunately, the union invited local Tory MP Martin Vickers and newly elected Reform mayor of Greater Lincolnshire Andrea Jenkins to speak. Both blamed the inaction of the Labour government and “Net Zero religion” for the closure, which gained a certain echo from the crowd…
“Reform UK politicians are presenting themselves as fighting to save jobs, at the same time as Reform-led councils are themselves carrying out brutal cuts on our public services.”
A Unite insider told Byline Times: “The local reps and organisers presumably let them in and gave them speaking slots.
“The irony is that Andrea Jenkyns has been absolutely opposed to workers’ rights and the extension of workers’ rights under the New Deal for Workers. What did she say at the rally? She blamed Labour and Net Zero. That has nothing to do with the actual issues affecting the workers.
“When you flirt with Reform, you know what you’re going to get…They shouldn’t have done [been invited]. Whoever did it is probably keeping their head down.”
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Contribute to our #ReformUncovered crowdfunderThe source added: “How did HQ allow a senior Reform politician who is totally opposed to workers’ rights to address the workforce on the steps of Grimsby town hall? There’s definitely a question mark there.”
Despite Jenkyns’ anti-union comments over the weekend – and the party’s record voting against the Employment Rights Bill – Reform has recently tried to flirt with unions, amid concern over Labour’s performance in office.
Last week Sharon Graham wrote on X: “Unite has constantly warned the government that its policies have placed the oil and gas industry on a cliff edge. We need decent investment and a long-term plan to fully protect all oil and gas workers.”
Reform’s deputy leader Richard Tice MP replied: “Hi Sharon. Yes! Unite should work with us at Reform in scrapping Net Stupid Zero and relaunching great oil & gas industries with skilled well paid jobs, investment and growth.”
In turn, the internal group Reunite The Union hit back: “Dancing with the devil has consequences. Reform UK now believe they have an open line to our union & movement – they are mocking us.”
In another post they added: “Reform will never be a friend to workers…When we invite Andrea Jenkyns to our disputes, is it any wonder Richard Tice feels the door is open?”
In a recent Durham Miner’s Gala speech, General Secretary Sharon Graham suggested Unite could disaffiliate from the Labour Party. One option could be affiliating to the new ‘Your Party’ (or Left Party) of ex-Labour MPs Jeremy Corbyn and Zarah Sultana.
But a union spokesperson subsequently poured cold water on the idea in the short term, saying: “Unite voted to continue affiliating with Labour two years ago and, under current policy, cannot fund another political party.”
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