SCOTLAND'S largest trade union is set to boycott Reform UK's party conferences, it has emerged.
The Herald reports that Unison will break from its usual political rules as it does not want to give financial support to a party that "wants to slash services, cut jobs" and "blame immigrants for society's problems".
The decision moves the trade union away from its usual conference-season routine, where it attends conferences of any political party which has won three or more seats in Holyrood, paying for its own stand spaces and hosting meetings on issues that fit within its brief.
These conferences are generally an opportunity for the organisation to set out its demands to MSPs and network with grassroots members.
Reform UK, led in Scotland by Malcolm Offord, is expected to be the only party boycotted, with The Herald reporting that the union plans to attend the Scottish Conservatives' event as usual.
It marks the first time the union has taken the decision, apart from when in-person gatherings were disrupted during the coronavirus pandemic.
Kay Sillars, Unison Scotland head of policy, told The Herald: “Reform are not on the side of working people. The party wants to slash services, cut jobs, deny employees proper pay and pensions, and blame immigrants for society's problems,
“To achieve shared goals, Unison often campaigns jointly with politicians from different backgrounds and viewpoints. But Reform's policies pose a direct threat to public services and the staff who deliver them. Which is why we won't be attending their conference.”
A Unison source said: "We use every opportunity to influence MSPs on behalf of public services and public services staff.
"However, there’s a big difference between lobbying MSPs in parliament, sending them reports, updates and research and paying the actual party to attend their conference. Party conferences are in part fund-raisers for the party itself."
They added: “While we accept some Scots voted for them and that we debate with any elected people – many who we disagree with – there is a big difference in doing that and actually paying the party itself to attend its conference."
Responding to the boycott, Scottish deputy leader of Reform UK Thomas Kerr said: “Reform Scotland is appalled by UNISON’s announced boycott of our conference, despite the fact it has yet to be arranged.
“Recent polling of public sector union members puts Reform level with Labour on 28 per cent, showing just how out of touch the union leadership is with a significant proportion of its own members.
“This decision is a rejection of the many UNISON members who freely support and vote for Reform in Scotland, and who have contributed to our success."
He added: “When the Scottish Government begins its programme of public sector reform, reducing jobs and imposing cuts on public services at local and national level, Reform Scotland will have to formulate our responses without the wise counsel of UNISON.
“We feel that will be a loss for both of us, and ultimately for the people of Scotland.”
One of the party's representatives, Audrey Dempsey, a councillor in Springburn who quit Scottish Labour amid a row over “racist” comments and then defected to Nigel Farage’s party, is reported to have spoken at the Unite the Clans rally on Saturday in Glasgow Green.
On Saturday, the event led to disorder and multiple violent incidents, including some 15 arrests being made by police, including for possession of an offensive weapon, assault, breach of the peace, obstruction and resisting arrest.
Reform have been condemned for not taking any action against her for the act.
