Labour’s landslide win was largely an ‘anti-Tory’ vote, FBU general secretary says

Fire Brigades Union general secretary Matt Wrack has said the landslide election win Labour enjoyed this summer was more an “anti-Tory” vote than active support for Labour.

Speaking at a Labour conference event on the rise of the far-right in Britain, the affiliated union leader said: “Unless the Labour movement offers hope to people then people will go in other directions.”

Coventry South MP Zarah Sultana, who also spoke at the panel, warned too: “When we have austerity, that deepens inequality.”

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The MP, who lost the Labour whip in July after rebelling over the two-child benefit cap, also said “our fight is for a future where no one is left behind or discriminated against.”

The LabourList event in partnership with the FBU also featured journalist and historian Taj Ali – who spoke about his background growing up in Luton.

He said: “The far right do not get to speak for the white working class, or any multiracial working class.”

The event touched on the far-right riots that rocked the country this summer, about which anti-racist campaigner Suresh Grover said: “The violent racist riots represent a new phase in far right organising.”

Follow all of the news and debate at party conference 2024 by LabourList here, the leading dedicated platform for Labour supporters on all things Labour. 

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