Paul W Fleming addressing Equity conference today (Credit - Troy Walker)
IMMEDIATE RELEASE Sunday 10 May 2026
Photos can be downloaded here (Credit - Troy Walker Photography)
In his speech to Equity's annual conference today, General Secretary Paul W Fleming has called for Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer "to set out a timetable in which he resigns and is replaced".
He also said that the union "opposes" Reform, "opposes giving them a platform, and opposes what they threaten to do to our movement and trade union."
But Fleming added that among Reform voters are "people who are actually frustrated about the economic and social situation in which we find ourselves... who are desperately grabbing around for a different answer" and said that for this, "there is one person who is disproportionately to blame: not Nigel Farage, but Keir Starmer."
Equity's annual conference is taking place this year in the Durham Miners' Hall across Saturday 9 to Monday 11 May.
Elsewhere, the General Secretary said that there is currently a "real prospect of industrial action on the West End costing the bosses hundreds of thousands of pounds a day", referring to the ongoing indicative ballot of performers and stage management working in London's world-famous theatres who are threatening to take strike action for fairer pay, terms and conditions.
He also said that the union had "Never had as many [emails] as in response to our loss at Spotlight" of which people were "proud that this is a union that is standing up for them". In September last year, the High Court ruled in favour of Spotlight, dismissing Equity's case that the casting directory's fees should be regulated. The union's appeal is set to go ahead in November this year.
The section of Equity General Secretary Paul W Fleming's speech regarding Keir Starmer and Reform in full:
"It would be remiss of me after the last week to not mention potentially the biggest threat to our union, to our industry, and to any union. And that is the rise of the far right. And I don't want to speak euphemistically. The rise of the far right includes Reform. Reform is the far right. Not every Reform voter. Not every Reform council candidate. But the leadership and direction and policies of that party are those of the far right. And I have no shame in saying so, and I have no shame in saying that this union opposes them, opposes giving them a platform, and opposes what they threaten to do to our movement and trade union. But as we find amongst Reform voters - and indeed some Reform councillors - converts to our way of thinking, people who are actually frustrated about the economic and social situation in which we find ourselves, which has seen wage stagnation across our economy, that has seen austerity in our communities, who are desperately grabbing around for a different answer, there is one person who is disproportionately to blame: not Nigel Farage, but Keir Starmer. And this union should have no hesitation in calling for the Prime Minister to set out a timetable in which he resigns and is replaced."
BACKGROUND
Equity is the trade union representing 50,000 performing artists and creative practitioners, including actors, drag artists, comedians, burlesque artists, cabaret artists, stage management, and more.
Conference is Equity's flagship democratic event, where members acting as representatives pass motions that set the union's agenda on what industrial issues to focus on, how it acts on behalf of its members, its policy on the arts, and more.
This year it is taking place at Durham Miners' Hall, with a summary of the agenda below. You can see the full agenda detailing motions in our conference guide .
Media wishing to attend at any point or be kept up to date with news, please contact [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>.
SATURDAY 9 MAY 2pm - 5.30pm Conference in session (motions on equalities and inclusion, variety performance, and live performance) 2.25pm Speech from Equity President Lynda Rooke 7.30pm Reception with presentation featuring the organisers of Durham Pride
SUNDAY 10 MAY 9.30am - 1pm Conference in session (motions on recorded media and policy) 10.35am Speech from Equity General Secretary Paul W Fleming
MONDAY 11 MAY 9.30am - 12.30pm Conference in session (motions on policy) 9.35am Speech from City of Durham MP Mary Kelly Foy 9.50am Speech from TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak 10.50am Speeches and photo call re. ongoing indicative ballot for industrial action by performers and stage management working in London's West End, who are currently negotiating with bosses their collective agreement setting minimums for pay, terms and conditions.
Stephanie Soh (she/her) Press & Public Relations Officer
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