BRITAIN’S biggest union must make fighting Reform UK “the priority,” Unison’s conference heard today after its general secretary urged the government to “drastically” change course.

National president Catherine McKenna became emotional as she told delegates in Brighton: “I say this with a heavy heart as someone from Belfast… in recent days we have seen ugly scenes on my streets in Belfast after the stabbing attack. 

“Tensions were quickly exploited by people seeking to spread fear, racism and hatred.

“We must stand firmly on the side of anti-racism solidarity and unity because our movement has never been built on division and hatred.

“That is why our campaign against Reform UK and the far right has to be the priority for our union.”

She also slammed Reform leader Nigel Farage for “shamefully exploiting tragedy and fuelling street violence” against ethnic minorities after Vickrum Digwa was jailed for the murder of Henry Nowak in Southampton. 

His minimum 21-year jail sentence was referred to the Court of Appeal by the solicitor general under the Unduly Lenient Sentence scheme today.

Ms McKenna’s address came after Unison general secretary Andrea Egan warned Labour needs to “change course” or risk paving the way for Reform to take power.

She added that she felt “really sad” that Reform UK, not Your Party, is now delivering Labour the warning about the need to change.

Warning that Reform would “attack pensions and protections in the workplace,” Ms Egan told the BBC: “When Labour came into power there was a sense of relief. But sadly we’ve been left wanting. Communities are really struggling.

“It isn’t us that will hand the keys to No 10 to Reform — it’s them, unless they change course. And drastically.

“They’ve got to start introducing progressive policies. Investment in infrastructure, pay restoration, better services, insourcing.

“They need to ensure that they deliver on promises they made when they came into government.”

Ms Egan was elected general secretary of Unison in December 2025 having pledged to launch a review of the union’s relationship with Labour.

She was expelled from Labour in 2022 for sharing articles from Socialist Appeal, a group that was proscribed by the party — a decision she appealed during the campaign.