Reform UK “are a bunch of failed Tories” who are making “fake promises based on fantasy economics”, a union leader has said.
Roz Foyer, general secretary of the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC), rejected claims from the party that it is giving a voice to working-class people who are otherwise ignored by the mainstream parties.
Speaking in Dundee at the STUC’s annual conference, she described the ongoing and escalating feud between Scottish Labour and Reform as a “psychodrama”.
The two parties have been locked in a series of claims and counterclaims, including allegations from Reform that Anas Sarwar proposed working with the party at Holyrood on several occasions.
The Scottish Labour leader has in turn claimed that a senior Reform politician described Malcolm Offord, the party’s leader, as “terrible” and “useless”. Both deny the claims.
Speaking to the Press Association, Ms Foyer said she does not believe Reform can provide the answers to the problems facing Scotland’s workers.
She said: “I think Reform are a bunch of failed Tories giving fake promises based on fantasy economics to Scotland’s workers.
“I think what they’re doing is they’re playing on the very justified anger and dissatisfaction that many working-class people are feeling, and quite rightly so, because our politicians, who are in power at the moment, aren’t delivering enough for them.
“But what we need to remember about Reform is they’re bankrolled by billionaires, and their job is to cut the taxes of the rich.
“Their job is going to be to cut our public services, to cut our rights of employment. and to cut away many of the things that we enjoy.
“I think it’s a very dangerous path for us to go down to give Reform any power in our democracy.”
During the first day of the STUC conference, Mr Sarwar claimed that Graham Simpson, who was Reform’s sole MSP at Holyrood, told him Lord Offord is “terrible” and “useless”, and that he called his fellow Reform candidate Thomas Kerr a “weasel”.
Mr Graham responded, telling PA that Mr Sarwar had made the “preposterous” claims up. He made his own set of allegations, saying Mr Sarwar approached him at Holyrood on three occasions to propose working together to kick out the SNP.
Asked about the row, Ms Foyer said she is “not really interested in their squabbles” as she accused parties of playing “games”.
She added: “What I’m interested in is making sure that working people get a better deal at this next Parliament.”
Speaking to reporters outside the Caird Hall, the trade unionist said the row between the two parties is “pretty ridiculous”.
She said: “It’s a bit of a psychodrama. I would much rather people look at the political parties’ policies in detail, and what they’re promising us, are those budgets backed up with figures, etc?
“That’s the sort of discussion that we’ll be having when we question the politicians going forward.”
She said Scots would not be “daft enough” to vote Reform into power. The party is currently fighting for second place with Labour in the opinion polls, ahead of the election on May 7.
Ms Foyer also rejected SNP claims that Labour and Reform could do a deal with each other, saying: “I don’t actually think that’s a possibility.”
SNP candidate for Glasgow Southside, Kaukab Stewart, said: “This embarrassing spat has lowered the tone of the Scottish election campaign. Reform and Labour have nothing positive to offer Scotland.
“John Swinney’s strong and trusted leadership is focused on the issues that matter to Scotland – our NHS, the cost of living and offering people hope through the fresh start of independence.
“People now know Reform and Labour will cosy up to force entry into Bute house given half the chance, so the playground insults can stop now.
“Only the SNP is on Scotland’s side and only an SNP majority can lock out Nigel Farage and unlock independence.”
Scottish Labour deputy leader Dame Jackie Baillie said: “This damning assessment of Reform hits the nail on the head – it is a gaggle of failed Tories with no interest in delivering for working people.
“Scotland can reject Reform and vote for change by voting Scottish Labour on May 7.”
Reform has been approached for comment.
