In this interview from the TUC Conference in Brighton, former RMT General Secretary Mick Lynch shares his candid thoughts on the state of the labour movement, the Labour Party under Keir Starmer, and the political challenges facing working people across the UK.
Speaking at the gathering of Britain’s trade unions, Lynch weighs in on the ongoing Labour deputy leadership race, asking whether Labour can still claim to represent the working class. With grassroots members and union activists questioning Starmer’s direction, Lynch sets out the conditions under which Labour could reconnect with its traditional base — from defending workers’ rights to backing public ownership.
The conversation also turns to the rapid rise of Reform UK under Nigel Farage, and the worrying signs of the party’s influence within sections of the trade union movement. Lynch warns of the dangers of populist rhetoric that seeks to divide workers along national or racial lines, and stresses the importance of building solidarity across communities to fight for better pay, conditions, and housing.
Looking ahead, Lynch discusses the potential for future strike action in the UK, with disputes brewing across rail, transport, and public services. He argues that only strong collective action can counter austerity policies, wage suppression, and the cost-of-living crisis that continues to hit ordinary people.
This wide-ranging interview offers vital insight into the challenges and opportunities facing Britain’s left and the trade union movement today.
Credit to : PoliticsJOE