Lizzy Buchan is the Political Editor at the Mirror, covering Westminster since 2017, focusing on various topics including work, trade unions, child poverty, defense, and foreign policy. Contact her via email if you have any tips.
The annual Trades Union Congress typically signals the beginning of Westminster’s party conference season – a month filled with political activities, planning, and social events.
As trade union representatives gathered in Brighton over the weekend, they were already dealing with the aftermath of Labour’s challenging first year.
The resignation of Angela Rayner, a significant Cabinet reshuffle, and a potentially tense deputy leadership contest only added to the existing concerns.
During the conference sessions, union leaders publicly criticized Nigel Farage and his divisive politics following a period of heightened tensions over asylum hotels.
However, in private conversations, the main topic of discussion was the state of the Labour Party.
Late at night in the bars, union officials expressed their frustration over the party’s decline in popularity, the emergence of Reform, and the missteps of the past year.
Most union leaders have refrained from public criticism since the election, opting to address any concerns internally while also highlighting the positive aspects of Labour’s actions.
However, the departures of key figures like Ms. Rayner, Justin Madders, and Jonathan Reynolds, who were seen as advocates for workers’ rights reforms, raised alarms within the union ranks.
The proposed Employment Rights Bill, which aims to revamp workers’ rights significantly, is a critical issue for the unions.
Business groups have seized on Ms. Rayner’s exit to oppose the reforms, leading to concerns that the Government needed to address promptly to ease tensions.
A union leader remarked, “If they want to challenge us on employment rights, so be it, but I believe they are not looking for a confrontation. There are competent individuals in Government.”
Many union leaders view the bill as essential in countering Reform since better wages and working conditions resonate well with voters.
During his speech, TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak cautioned Keir Starmer to demonstrate his support for ordinary people, emphasizing that the call for change still appears as mere rhetoric to many.
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