On behalf of Aegis, I attended a recent TUC conference on tackling far right ideology, and one message came through clearly: the growth of divisive politics is being driven less by ideology and more by frustration, insecurity and a sense of being ignored.
Workers are worried about stagnant pay, insecure jobs, declining public services and an uncertain future. In too many cases, anger is then redirected towards migrants, diversity initiatives or other communities, rather than towards the real causes of economic inequality.
For trade unions, this presents both a challenge and a responsibility. If we do not provide spaces where people feel heard, respected and supported, others will step in with simple but dangerous answers.
This is particularly relevant in financial services. Workers in the sector face rapid change driven by technology, restructuring and performance-linked pay, alongside rising stress and customer aggression. These pressures can create fertile ground for division unless they are addressed collectively.
The conference reinforced that unions are most effective when they act early, equip workplace representatives to challenge misinformation, and focus on the root causes of discontent rather than simply condemning rhetoric.
These lessons are shaping Unity Not Division, Aegis’ new campaign for 2026. The campaign will support reps and members to challenge divisive narratives, promote solidarity across differences and focus on fairness, dignity and security at work.
Division weakens workers. Unity makes us stronger — and trade unions have a vital role to play in ensuring hope and solidarity win out over fear and blame.
