DELEGATES at the CWU conference today expressed fear that current anti-racist strategy is “alienating working-class people.”

The union’s biannual conference in Bournemouth discussed the rise of Reform UK, “Tommy Robinson”s demonstrations and flag protests, and how the resurgence of the far right is translating onto the shop floor.

A motion urging the union to provide greater assistance to protests organised by Stand Up to Racism and the Together Alliance was overwhelmingly rejected.

Supporting the motion, delegate Paul Garraway called for a united front, urging delegates that “we can’t cede the streets to the fascists.

“The Together Alliance demonstration proved there’s much more of us than them, and we need to build that.”

Opposing the motion, delegate Deji Olayinka described an anti-Reform demonstration he attended where more black people were watching Reform than protesting against them.

“Looking at that crowd, and how we were just chanting ‘racist scum,’ it was clear there was nothing to bring these people over to our side,” he said.

“The unions should lead a united anti-racist movement that sees us protest against Reform while talking about saving our NHS from [Reform leader Nigel] Farage’s funders, and calling for jobs, not racism.

“That’s how we start winning people back — and if liberal councillors don’t want to join us in demanding better, then so be it.”

Also opposing the motion, general secretary Dave Ward emphatically warned conference that “we simply cannot outsource our anti-racist agenda.”

He continued: “This isn’t about abandoning the anti-racist fight: we’ve got to bring people together, and stand up for people, against racism, fascism, all of these evils.

“We’ve got to link these ideas to other ideals and agendas that stand up for working people.

“But the current strategy of organisations like Stand Up to Racism is simply not working. It is alienating working-class people.

“If we think this is the way forward, we aren’t facing up to what happened in the local elections.

“Thousands and thousands of people who voted Reform in last week’s elections aren’t racists, they are people desperate for change in their lives.

“We aren’t taking things seriously if we just repeat this — a deeper strategy is needed.”