Nigel Farage is facing a fresh political battle after one of Britain’s biggest trade unions accused Reform UK of posing a direct threat to workers’ rights despite its growing appeal among working-class voters.

The warning comes as Reform continues to make inroads into Labour’s traditional heartlands, with recent polling suggesting the party is now level with Labour among unionised workers — a remarkable shift that is alarming trade union leaders and Labour strategists alike.

Union Boss Launches Blistering Attack

GMB General Secretary Gary Smith is set to use the union’s annual congress in Blackpool to deliver a sharp rebuke to Farage and his party, branding Reform “rebadged Tories” and accusing its leadership of disguising an anti-worker agenda.

Smith is expected to argue that Reform’s attempts to court union members stand in stark contrast to its policy positions. He will tell delegates that while trade unionists were fighting on picket lines and campaigning against Conservative policies, many of Reform’s leading figures were supporting the Thatcher-era agenda that reshaped Britain's industrial communities.

Workers’ Rights Become the New Frontline

At the centre of the dispute is Reform’s opposition to Labour’s Employment Rights Act. The legislation includes measures designed to curb zero-hours contracts, restrict so-called “fire and rehire” practices, strengthen sick pay and bolster protections against unfair dismissal.

Union leaders argue that repealing those measures would strip away hard-won protections at a time when many workers remain under pressure from rising living costs and economic uncertainty.

Smith is expected to warn delegates that Reform’s plans would weaken collective bargaining rights and make it harder for unions to organise in major workplaces, including large private-sector employers.

Labour Tensions, Reform Surge

The intervention comes despite ongoing strains between Labour and its affiliated unions. Several major unions recently questioned Sir Keir Starmer’s political direction, highlighting growing unease within the wider labour movement.

Yet union leaders appear increasingly concerned that voter frustration with mainstream politics could push more working-class voters towards Reform. With polling showing strong public support for measures such as guaranteed hours, day-one sick pay and an end to fire-and-rehire practices, workers’ rights are rapidly emerging as a key political battleground ahead of the next general election.

GMB leader tears into workers' rights plot from Nigel Farage's 'rebadged Tories'

Reform UK has been forced to remove a series of attack adverts targeting Andy Burnham after the artist behind the images threatened legal action, opening a fresh front in the party’s increasingly aggressive political campaigning.

The row centres on social media posts that allegedly used and altered a portrait of Burnham without permission. What began as a campaign attack has rapidly escalated into a copyright dispute carrying the threat of court action, damages and demands for a public apology.

Artist Strikes Back Over ‘Unauthorised’ Use

Illustrator Stanley Chow, whose portrait of Burnham has featured prominently in the Greater Manchester Mayor’s by-election campaign, accused Reform of hijacking his work to promote a message he fundamentally opposes.

The disputed posts reportedly showed AI-generated images of people in a small boat holding “Vote Andy” placards featuring Chow’s artwork. Through his lawyers, Chow argued the image had been edited and repurposed without consent to push what he described as an anti-immigration narrative.

“For me, this is straightforward,” Chow said. “My work has been used without permission to share a message that I fundamentally disagree with.”

Legal Pressure Forces Removal

Law firm Brabners has accused Reform of copyright infringement and demanded the party stop using the images. Lawyers warned their client could seek an injunction, compensation and a public acknowledgement of wrongdoing.

A formal letter reportedly seeks at least £5,000 in damages and calls for a public statement to be published across Reform’s social media channels and website. Unless undertakings are accepted by Monday afternoon, court proceedings could follow.

Reform Rejects Allegations

Reform insists it believes its use of the material falls under “fair use” and claims the legal challenge is politically motivated.

However, the party has removed the posts, saying it acted “in good faith” and without admitting liability. The decision limits the immediate fallout but does little to end a dispute that now raises wider questions about political campaigning, AI-generated content and the ownership of creative work.

Campaign Battle Moves Beyond Politics

The clash lands at a sensitive moment as Reform seeks to expand its electoral appeal ahead of future contests. Instead of focusing solely on immigration and local politics, the party now finds itself defending its campaign tactics in the face of mounting legal scrutiny.

What started as a social media attack has become a test case over copyright, political messaging and the limits of digital campaigning in an increasingly volatile election environment.

Reform UK removes Burnham posts after artist threatens legal action