Union leader destroys far-right’s claims to care about women’s safety

Joanne Thomas – the general secretary of the shopworkers’ union Usdaw has made a blistering condemnation of the far-right’s narrative that their anti-migrant agitations are done in order to defend or protect women and girls.

Thomas made the intervention in a debate at the annual Trades Union Congress (TUC) taking place this week in Brighton.

Thomas told the Congress: “The far right have never shown any interest in campaigning to end violence against women and girls before, but they’ve hijacked and weaponised this issue to promote their violently racist and anti-migrant agendas.

“Far from seeking to protect women and girls, the far-right hold and promote extremely sexist notions of family, advocating a return to traditional values, pushing women back into the home and giving men absolute authority over women’s bodies and the family.”

Thomas went on to say: “We were horrified at the racist attacks on the hotels housing migrants and refugees that we saw last summer – and of course, much more recently the so-called port protests in Dover and Portsmouth where roads were blocked by masked men dressed in black.

“These incidents make extremely clear the very real threat the far right pose to people and of course women’s lives. And as one woman bystander in Dover recalled, there were no banner, there was no slogans, just pure intimidation. And it was a demonstration only in the sense that they wanted to demonstrate their power to intimidate.”

Later in her speech, the Usdaw general secretary summed up the absurdity of far-right activists’ claims that their activities are designed to ‘protect’ women and girls. She told delegates: “The far-right promote that racist lie that sexual violence is something that has been imported to these shores by foreigners. We know that that is glossing over the uncomfortable truth that violence against women and girls is committed overwhelmingly by men who were known to them.

“We also know – as it’s previously been said – that two out of every five people arrested for disorder last summer had police histories of violence against women. Two out of every five. And those offences ranging from stalking to battery to sexual assault and coercive control. These men are not protectors of women and girls, many of them are the perpetrators of violence.”

Thomas concluded her speech by saying: “Congress, we stand shoulder to shoulder in solidarity with all women and girls, wherever they are, whatever their circumstances”, before adding: “I genuinely believe that the Labour government has the will and the tools to materially improve women’s lives. This must remain their focus, and the Labour government must show leadership in responding to the weaponisation of gender based violence. They must not allow it to be distorted by misinformation and for us to be dragged further to the right on the political spectrum. All women and girls deserve to live lives free from violence and abuse.”

Thomas’ speech came during in a debate on a motion titled ‘Tackling the far right and the weaponisation of women’s and girls’ safety’. The motion – which passed unanimously – was brought forward by the TUC Women’s Conference.

That motion read: “We express deep concern over the growing trend of blaming migrants for rape and sexual attacks in the UK. Such narratives are often fuelled by misinformation, political opportunism and sensationalist reporting, which distort evidence and contribute to fear, division, racism and xenophobia. Sexual violence is a serious societal issue that affects people across all backgrounds, and addressing it requires a focus on the behaviour of perpetrators, not the nationality of communities.”

Alongside this, the motion heavily criticised Reform UK’s policies and its spokespeople’s comments on women’s rights. It read: “Conference notes Nigel Farage and Reform UK representatives frequently link the perceived threat to women and girl’s safety to illegal immigration, however Conference disputes that, believing that the greater danger is Reform themselves.

“Reform’s manifesto pledges to scrap The Equality Act 2010 removing legal foundations that protect women from discrimination and sexual harassment in the workplace. Reform MPs have voted against Bills that would tackle stalking and want to see the Online Safety Bill repealed.

“Nigel Farage has called abortion time limits “utterly ludicrous” and appointed Professor James Orr, who opposes abortion in all circumstances, as a senior advisor. He has weaponised the trauma of survivors of grooming gangs and has called Andrew Tate “an important voice for men”.”

The motion went on to commit the trade union movement to – among other things – “build alliances with feminist and anti-racist movements”, “highlight the positive contributions of migrant and refugee women”, “highlight the harm caused to women by anti-immigration and racist rhetoric”, and support a “national strategy to counter misinformation, racist and xenophobic narratives around crime”.

Chris Jarvis is head of strategy and development at Left Foot Forward