Reform's Worker Rights Repeal Plan Exposed as Massively Out of Step with Public
A mega-poll of more than 40,000 people has revealed overwhelming public support for the flagship policies in the Employment Rights Act, which Nigel Farage's Reform party has pledged to repeal. The findings expose Reform's plans as massively out of step with the British public, including voters in their own constituencies.
Polling Shows Strong Backing for Key Worker Protections
Labour's workers' rights package, which became law in December, includes bans on exploitative zero-hours contracts and fire-and-rehire practices, as well as strengthened sick pay, protections against unfair dismissal, and entitlements to parental leave. Last month, Reform sparked an outcry by pledging to rip up this legislation, along with strengthened protections for renters set to come into force in May.
Polling conducted in every constituency for the TUC and Hope not Hate shows majority support for key principles:
- Guaranteed hours contracts: 78% support
- Day one sick pay: 76% support
- Ending fire and rehire: 83% support
Constituency-Level Support Undermines Reform's Stance
In Nigel Farage's Clacton constituency, 77% of voters back banning exploitative zero-hours contracts, 81% support ending fire and rehire, 66% want the right to sick pay from day one, and 86% want a higher minimum wage. Similarly, in Boston and Skegness, represented by Reform's business spokesman Richard Tice, 80% back a zero-hours contracts ban, 86% oppose fire and rehire, 76% want day one sick pay, and 83% want the minimum wage raised.
Comparable results were reported in other Reform constituencies, including Sarah Pochin's Runcorn and Helsby seat, Newark represented by ex-Tory Robert Jenrick, and Ashfield, whose MP is Lee Anderson.
Union and Advocacy Leaders Condemn Reform's Agenda
TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak said: "Reform's so-called Great Repeal Bill would steal away vital rights and protections. Nigel Farage wants to strip working people of essentials like day-one sick pay and a fairer minimum wage. At the same time, he'd give bad bosses free rein to exploit staff by keeping practices like zero-hours contracts and fire-and-rehire firmly in place."
Nowak added: "This anti-worker agenda is massively out of step with the British public, who believe everyone deserves basic security and dignity at work. Farage likes to claim he's taking on the elites, but the reality is he wants to hand more power to vested interests and his wealthy corporate backers."
Hope Not Hate chief executive Nick Lowles commented: "Reform's plans to repeal key workers' rights are a world away from where the British public are at. From Green to Reform supporters, these are rights that have huge support up and down the country."
Lowles emphasized: "Reform voters aren't a homogenous bloc, but what many have in common is their support for stronger rights at work, from banning zero-hours contracts to day one sick pay. The Government should be talking up the threat Nigel Farage poses to popular and vital workplace protections."
The comprehensive polling data underscores a significant disconnect between Reform's policy proposals and public sentiment, highlighting widespread backing for enhanced worker protections across the political spectrum.
