Everyone deserves security, dignity and a fair day’s pay for a fair day’s work. For these reasons, the Employment Rights Bill, which is proceeding through its final stages in Parliament, is really important.
At a time when bosses are raking in record pay while working people face a cost-of-living crisis, the Employment Rights Bill will help tip the balance back toward workers – and make sure they get a fairer share.
So what of Reform. They claim to speak for working people – but their actions tell the truth.
Reform MPs voted against the Employment Rights Bill. They voted against giving workers more say at work so unions can raise pay and improve conditions. They voted against an end to ‘fire and rehire’ and against a new right to a contract that reflects the number of hours you actually work. They voted against flexible working and family-friendly hours as a right from day one at work.
Farage says he stands with working people – but he’s always sided with the Tories and bad bosses. He’s not on our side. He never has been. But he is gaining support.
At the All Members Meeting on the 21st November 2025 Anne Rouse welcomed everyone and introduced our speaker, Matt Rodda, MP for Reading Central.
Matt told members that in his opinion the public are not aware of the many good things that the Party is doing. He mentioned that just this week, free breakfast clubs have been announced. This scheme will be targeted where it is most needed and will make a real difference to children and families. He said that the public are not aware of policies in areas of health, the police and housing. In housing he mentioned the speeding up of planning and the renters rights act, which amongst other provisions, abolishes the Section 21 no fault evictions. Matt’s view is that these things go largely unreported, they go ‘under the radar’.
Moving on to policies supported by Reform, Matt suggested that the Net Zero policies, contrary to Reform’s and other right-wing parties’ claims, are both good for the environment and good for jobs. He said that Reform can be beaten, and as an example, cited Bristol where there was a good local candidate with policies that mattered to the local people. He mentioned policies on housing, transport (including buses) and more jobs of the future – jobs in science and technology, offering hope for young people.
Matt commented that much of Reform’s literature is misinformation. He said that although unremarked upon, Nigel Farage is largely absent from parliament. As the MP for Clacton, he should be in parliament representing his constituents and sorting out their problems. However, Reform does not take part like other parties do.
Matt suggested that we could tell people about the chaos in the Reform council in Kent, and that Reform councils around the country have not done what they said they would do.
After many questions from the members Anne thanked everyone for coming on such a cold night and Matt for excellent presentation.
Updated 7/7/26
