Civil servants in the UK are preparing to launch a series of strikes if Nigel Farage's Reform UK party wins the next general election. The Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS), representing 170,000 members, is set to vote on a motion calling for an 'industrial defence strategy' to sabotage a Farage administration. The union warns that a Reform UK government would pose an 'existential threat' to civil service jobs, pay, and professional integrity.

Civil Servants Mobilize Against Farage's 'Culture War'

The PCS motion highlights the 'significant rise in polling and political influence of Reform UK,' suggesting that a Farage-led government is a 'very likely eventuality.' The union argues that Reform UK would wage a 'culture war aimed at demoralising public servants.' According to the report, the motion states that 'a Reform UK government would represent an existential threat to the job security,pay, and professional integrity of every PCS member.'

Farage has vowed to tackle what he calls 'institutional Left-wing bias' within the Civil Service, local authorities, and schools. He has previously clashed with Daniel Kebede, the general secretary of the National Education Union (NEU), whom he described as an 'open Marxist.' Farage has promised to introduce a 'patriotic curriculum' and end the politicization of classrooms if he becomes Prime Minister.

Union Strategies to Counter Farage's Policies

If the motion is approved, the PCS's ruling National Executive Committee (NEC) will draw up a resistance strategy by the end of the year.. The strategy will include 'launching a targeted recruitment drive in departments most at risk of slashing, ensuring we have the mandate for sustained industrial action.' The union aims to defend the Civil Service as a 'vital, neutral institution' through direct industrial and legal action.

The NEU has also called for the trade union movement to 'throw its full weight behind stopping a Reform UK government.' Delegates at the NEU's annual conference called for teachers to 'collate and disseminate anti-racist teaching materials' and to 'encourage school and community-based anti-deportation campaigns.'

Farage's Response to Union Threats

Farage has responded to the union threats by accusing the NEU of trying to indoctrinate children. He said, 'The NEU should focus on the day job of teaching instead of trying to indoctrinate children. Daniel Kebede is an open Marxist and shouldn't be anywhere near our education system.' Farage has promised to introduce changes that would prevent teaching unions from politicizing the classroom.

Kebede has countered Farage's claims, stating that a Farage-led government would be a 'disaster for Britain.' He warned that Farage would cut schools and the NHS to the bone, according to the report.

Civil Service Pensions Under Scrutiny

Amid the political turmoil, civil servants are drawing taxpayer-funded pensions of more than £150,000 a year, despite reforms designed to curb gold-plated public sector payouts. The Civil Service Pension Scheme, one of the largeest of its kind, will cost taxpayers £7 billion this year, up from £6.8 billion last year. Among those drawing from the scheme, 23 are receiving more than £150,000 a year, with a further 263 collecting more than £100,000 .

Former Institute for Fiscal Studies director Paul Johnson condemned the numbers as 'extraordinary,' addiing that the scheme was 'paying out far more than you would ever imagine is reasonable.' He said, 'This is evidence of a pension scheme that, at least historically, has got out of control.' Johnson also noted that there is a 'totally wrong balance between pay and pensions,' which is increasingly wrong as the private sector no longer has anything along these lines.

What's Next for Civil Service and Farage?

The PCS vote on the motion is scheduled for this week, and if approved, the union will begin drafting its resistance strategy. The outcome of the vote could set the stage for a prolonged conflict between Farage's government and the civil service. The report notes that the union's strategy will include targeted recruitment drives and sustained industrial action, which could significantly disrupt government operations.