Manchester fire chiefs caution staff over support for Reform UK

Max Thompson, Campaigns Officer

8 June 2026

Senior figures at Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) have cautioned firefighters who support Reform UK over their political views.

In a deeply Orwellian move, fire chiefs sent an email to staff saying that firefighters who support — or have opted to stand for — Reform UK have been spoken to about their views.

An even more concerning section of the email reveals that these fire brigade bosses effectively urge junior staff to report colleagues they believe to be supportive of Reform UK. This is despite the fact that, unlike police officers, firefighters are under no legal bar from participating in national or local politics.

The email from Mr Petch and Ms Ahmed said: 'We are aware that some staff members have chosen to represent Reform UK in their local areas. We know this may cause concern within our network and wider.

'The individuals involved have been spoken to, to make it clear that as members of GMFRS our core values and professional behaviours must be displayed at all times.

'The service is currently seeking formal legal guidance… to ensure we are protected from all perspectives and that our inclusive culture remains safe.

'Our priority is and always will be ensuring that every member of this network feels supported, respected and safe at work.'

Petch and Ahmed confirmed in their email that they have consulted the Fire Brigades Union (FBU) on how to deal with Manchester firefighters who support Reform UK.

General Secretary of the free speech Union, Lord Young of Acton, said the email "will create a chilling effect on the free speech of GMFRS employees who support Reform".

As Mayor of Greater Manchester, the wannabe Prime Minister Andy Burnham is responsible for the governance of the city's fire and rescue service, as he also holds the title of Greater Manchester's Fire Commissioner.

Lord Young has now written to Mr Burnham to raise concerns about the threat this email poses to free speech and the democratic rights of Manchester firefighters, and urges an urgent explanation. He said the 'clear implication' of the email was that 'representing Reform UK constitutes an inherent threat to the institution's culture and values and is to be treated as morally suspect'. Lord Young also highlighted that no action appears to have been taken against firefighters who support other political parties.

The Free Speech Union's director also noted in his letter to Burnham that 'Staff are further invited to report colleagues who support any groups that go against the service's values, which effectively amounts to an instruction to inform on colleagues for their political beliefs.'

He added: 'The practical effect is that a public fire and rescue service governed by you is treating the lawful political activity of your electoral opponents as a reputational risk to their employer.

'Regardless of whether this reflects your instruction, it reflects your governance; and a public office-holder who permits his institution to demonise or chill the speech and political activity of those who support his principal electoral rival cannot claim to be discharging that office with the impartiality it demands.'

The email from Petch and Ahmed has drawn significant criticism from Reform MP Suella Braverman and Reform home affairs spokesperson Zia Yusuf, who has written to Greater Manchester's Chief Fire Officer, David Russell.

This is a deeply disturbing story. If Andy Burnham wishes to become Prime Minister of a free country, he must condemn this kind of thought policing.

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