Trade unionists’ petition calls for new working-class party

25 current and former trade union national executive members from eleven unions have launched a petition calling for steps to be taken now to establish a new political voice for working-class people. The petition reads:

‘The May 2025 election results show the need for a new party that the working class can trust.

‘Stagnant wages, underfunded public services, the scandal of the housing crisis, Labour councils pursuing fire and rehire, cuts to pensioners’ winter fuel allowance, reductions in disability benefits, and continued government support for Israel’s murderous campaign in Gaza – and all under a Labour government.

‘Labour isn’t Labour anymore, and Reform UK is becoming a significant beneficiary of working people’s anger.

‘We, the undersigned, believe it’s time for the trade union movement to seriously discuss founding a new anti-austerity, anti-war party. Our movement will be weakened if workers see us as a voice for pro-austerity Labour. We call for urgent discussions within our union and across unions to organise a conference to establish a political voice for working people.

‘The Establishment has four parties – it’s time the working class had one of its own.’

Add you name to the petition:

www.change.org/p/time-for-trade-unions-to-take-the-lead-in-forming-a-new-working-class-party