Matt Wrack, the newly appointed general secretary of the NASUWT teaching union, has declared that he will not step down despite facing what he describes as a “ludicrous” and “coordinated” campaign by political opponents to undermine his role.
Since his appointment to the general secretary post of the NASUWT, Wrack’s position has been challenged by legal actions and a reopening of nominations for the position. He is now set to run again in a new election endorsed by the union’s executive.
Wrack also points out a series of negative media profiles from high-ranking Conservative figures like ex-ministers Michael Gove and Damian Green, which he accuses of attempting to discredit his position and the influence of trade unions in general. Despite these efforts, Wrack denies allegations of being insufficiently experienced for his role, arguing that many government figures and high-ranking public officials also lack direct experience in teaching.
In his first interview since the matter was taken to court, Wrack firmly denies claims about his stance on issues like socialism, labor relations, and the Appointment process, stressing his commitment to a two-state solution regarding the Middle East and his backings of certain boycotting policies by the Trades Union Congress.
Wrack insists that he remains the official candidate of the union’s executive committee and has not been swayed by conservative politicians’ attempts to discredit the union and its appetite for industrial action. He also dismisses rumors of a potential merger between the NASUWT and the National Education Union, affirming that he respect the explicit stance of the NASUWT conference on such matters.
The situation has further intensified following a court ruling that the NASUWT must pay £78,000 in costs related to the legal challenges it faced due to Wrack’s appointment. This puts Wrack’s re-election in a precarious fiscal context for the union.
Moreover, Wrack disputes accusations of closeness with high-profile figures and maintains that any interaction with the NEU’s general secretary was within the scope of his work over a long career within the trade union movement. Furthermore, he counters allegations of downplaying anti-Semitism, emphasizing his history of working with cross-community groups both in the UK and internationally.
Despite criticism from some members regarding his stance on political and social issues, Wrack remains defiant and focused on his role within the NASUWT. He sees the negative campaign against him as a broader attack on effective trade unionism.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/may/01/matt-wrack-teaching-union-general-secretary-nasuwt
