Leeds City Council has made counselling services and “safe space” conversations available to employees in anticipation of Nigel Farage’s Reform UK campaign rally scheduled for next Tuesday.
The Labour-controlled authority’s human resources department circulated an internal email addressing the forthcoming political gathering in the city.
Staff were informed they could access wellbeing support should they feel adversely impacted by the Reform leader’s visit.
The move has drawn criticism from within the council itself, with questions raised about whether similar provisions will be extended for other political events and demonstrations.
Council management has acknowledged that the rally bears no direct connection to its operations or workforce.
John Ebo, the council’s HR chief, penned the communication to colleagues regarding the upcoming event.
“No doubt you will have picked up in the news that Nigel Farage and Reform are holding an event/rally,” he wrote.
“I am mindful such events impact on colleagues, and would ask that we enable safe space conversations for colleagues such as the Wellbeing network chats.”
Leeds City Council has made counselling services and ‘safe space’ conversations available to employees in anticipation of Nigel Farage’s Reform UK campaign rally scheduled for next Tuesday
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The email prompted the activation of wellbeing resources across the authority.
The communication was subsequently forwarded to the council’s Race Equality Staff Network, accompanied by an additional caution advising members to “be vigilant if you are in the city centre that day.”
One council employee, speaking anonymously, expressed frustration at what they perceived as inconsistent treatment of political events.
Nigel Farage will be visiting Leeds on Tuesday next week
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“They don’t email us about pro-Palestinian protests or Green events,” they told The Sun.
“It’s a scandal how brainwashed many council bosses are. Taxpayers need to know what they’re getting for their money, and who’s spending it.”
The criticism highlights concerns about selective application of staff welfare measures depending on the political nature of gatherings taking place in Leeds.
Mr Farage responded to the controversy by outlining his reasons for visiting the Yorkshire city.
“I’m coming to Leeds because this community deserves better than the managed decline delivered by Labour and the Conservatives,” the Reform UK leader stated.
Leeds City Council sought to distance itself from the internal communications, maintaining that the emails exchanged between staff members “do not represent formal communications” from the authority.
The council’s position suggests the wellbeing provisions were arranged informally rather than through official policy channels, though the messages nonetheless circulated through established staff networks, including the Race Equality Staff Network.