GMB leader Gary Smith warned Labour today that “politics is a means to an end for us” in his reaction to John Healey’s resignation as defence secretary.

Mr Healey, who addressed the union’s conference on Tuesday, stepped down as Mr Smith gave his closing speech at his union’s conference in Blackpool.

Mr Smith responded: “Politics is a means to an end for us and nothing else.

“I would remind Labour politicians the Employment Rights Act will be delivered including the rights over access and our ability to organise.

“We are not going to tolerate pushback and prevarication in the face of the business lobby.”

Turning to Reform and the Greens, he added: “For those in politics who want to see our members put out of jobs with promises of work that does not exist — no thank you.

“And above all, for those in politics who want to spread hate and try to divide us — we know who you are, we know who you represent and know that there will never be a place for the right in this GMB parliament.

“There is a fear for the future and I get it.

“But our job is where there is ignorance to bring enlightenment, where there is division we will bring unity — and where there is despair our job is always to bring hope.”

Earlier delegates had slammed rioting in Belfast as “nothing short of a pogrom.”

They also passed an emergency motion condemning “racist attacks on ethnic minorities, workers and much respected members of our communities.”

The past two nights of violence “saw a co-ordinated mobilisation across Britain and Northern Ireland led by known fascist and right-wing populist agitators,” it says.