Now Greens want to tear up strike laws that could revive flying pickets

By GREG HEFFER, POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT Published: 00:06, 2 May 2026 | Updated: 00:06, 2 May 2026 The Green Party last night signalled a return to the industrial strife of the 1970s by promising to allow unions to revive the notorious practice of 'flying pickets'. In a speech in Manchester, Zack Polanski pledged to tear up Margaret Thatcher's anti-strike laws which finally brought militant unions to heel in the 1980s. He said the Greens would introduce a £15-an-hour minimum wage.  He also said the party would cap bosses' pay as part of a drive to establish themselves as the 'new workers' party'. In the 1970s, so-called flying pickets took advantage of secondary picketing laws which allowed workers to take action at workplaces other than their own. It led to roving bands of militant union activists trying to shut down workplaces in 'solidarity' with fellow union members. Mr Polanski is expected to pledge to scrap all anti-union laws introduced since 1979.  He will say: 'The reforms introduced by Margaret Thatcher nearly half a century ago began the long march downwards in the balance of power and wealth in our country'.  Zack Polanski (pictured) said the Greens would introduce a £15-an-hour minimum wage and cap bosses' pay He pledged to tear up Margaret Thatcher's (pictured) anti-strike laws which finally brought militant unions to heel in the 1980s His plans go much further than Angela Rayner's controversial workers' rights charter, which businesses have warned will damage growth and jobs.  Experts and rival parties say that equalising minimum wage rates for all ages – at close to the median hourly pay in some parts of Britain – would merely leave more young people on the jobs scrapheap.  Tory business spokesman Andrew Griffith said: 'Youth unemployment is already rocketing after Labour's hikes in taxes and red tape.  'The last thing the economy needs are these lunatic Green proposals.' No comments have so far been submitted. Why not be the first to send us your thoughts, or debate this issue live on our message boards. By posting your comment you agree to our house rules. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual. Do you want to automatically post your MailOnline comments to your Facebook Timeline? Your comment will be posted to MailOnline as usual We will automatically post your comment and a link to the news story to your Facebook timeline at the same time it is posted on MailOnline. To do this we will link your MailOnline account with your Facebook account. We’ll ask you to confirm this for your first post to Facebook. You can choose on each post whether you would like it to be posted to Facebook. Your details from Facebook will be used to provide you with tailored content, marketing and ads in line with our Privacy Policy.