Solidarity – The Union for British Workers is a United Kingdom trade union formed in late 2005 that is closely associated with the British National Party. It is named after the Polish trade union Solidarnosc.
Stated aims of Solidarity
According to documents lodged with the Certification Office, which regulates matters concerning trade unions, Solidarity aims to "improve the relations between employers and employees throughout all industries served by the union"; "to protect, assist and promote the working and living conditions of the citizens of the British Isles"; '"resist and oppose all forms of institutional union corruption"; "promote freedom within and without the Trades Union movement, protecting and promoting freedom of belief, thought and speech, irrespective of political and religious affiliation or creed".
Solidarity membership is open to people of all ethnic, religious and political backgrounds.[1]
"One big union"
Solidarity recruits from all industrial sectors and professions. In this respect it draws inspiration from the 'one big union' concept championed by the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) and CNT. It has no affiliation to IWW. Solidarity has already stated that it has no plans to apply for affiliation to the TUC and will not be bound, therefore, by agreements not to poach members from other unions.
Allegations of BNP front status
Allegations that Solidarity is a BNP front were first made by Searchlight magazine on the Stop the BNP website on February 24 2005 [2] and repeated in "Alleged front group for BNP wins union status" by Barrie Clement, The Independent, February 1 2006.
Management team connections to BNP
Patrick Harrington, who replaced Clive Potter as chairman of Solidarity, is a member of the political party Third Way (UK), and not a member of the BNP. He is, however, a veteran of far-right politics in the UK, who formerly served on the leadership of the National Front; and maintains some contact with his former NF colleague and current BNP chairman Nick Griffin (see entry on Harrington for more details).
According to the BNP news release, the other members of Solidarity's management team are:
- "John Walker expelled from the T&G, Clive Potter expelled from Unison, Jay Lee expelled from ASLEF but who received a five figure compensation settlement and Lee Barnes a former shop steward in the T&G"
All of these men are members of the BNP's Advisory Council or have stood for the party in general elections:
- John Walker is National Treasurer of the BNP.[3]
- Clive Potter, Solidarity's original chairman, stood as a candidate for the BNP in Leicestershire North West in the 2005 General Election.[4]
- Lee Barnes is the BNP's Head of Legal Affairs, who writes a column for the party's website.[6]
Responses to allegations
The BNP deny that Solidarity is a 'front'. Instead they argue that Solidarity enjoys BNP support because it does not politically vet members and opposes globalisation. They have publicised the organisation on their website.
Solidarity's chairman, Patrick Harrington, has also denied that Solidarity is a BNP front in a statement on the website of his party, Third Way (UK), adding that "Anyone who supports workers rights is welcome and that includes both members of the BNP and Communists." [7] This latter claim seems to contrast with the BNP's statement that Solidarity is "a group of ... victims of Marxist persecution in the workplace" and that "[t]he Marxists in charge of the unions have only themselves to blame for the creation of this new union."[8] Harrington argues that the BNP position represents their interpretation and that "The Solidarity Union does not bar members on account of race, religion, sexuality or political opinion."[9]
Contact details
- Solidarity Trades Union
- PO Box 8127
- Leicester LE21 9AN
External links
- "BNP's Trade Union Shock" by Sadaf Meehan in The Voice, February 6, 2006 and response by Harrington
- "Solidarity and Third Way" by Henry Falconer, Third Way website
- "Hack Attack on the Fighting Union - Solidarity" by Jeannie Trueman, Third Way website
- "Build the Fighting Union - Solidarity" by Patrick Harrington, Third Way website