UNISON National Delegate Conference: Liverpool 2025

Today I travelled by train to Liverpool to take part in the UNISON National Delegate Conference as a NEC representative for Community (80,000 Housing Associations and Charities members) with my colleague Denise Thomas. 

I always know I am back in Liverpool when I see the statues of Ken Dodd and Bessie Braddock MP in Lime Street Station. I was born and raised in nearby North Wales and have many fond memories of visiting Liverpool. 

Around 2000 delegates and visitors will be attending the annual conference of the largest trade union in the UK. 

This evening I attended the Greater London Regional briefing for all our delegates. The elected regional delegates, Yvonne and Andrew, the Regional Secretary Sara and our Standing orders Committee representative Jim, advised delegates and answered questions on what to expect and how conference is likely to be run during the next 4 days.  

As a NEC delegate and London member I mentioned the National Labour Link fringe on the Employment Rights Bill and invited delegates to attend. 

There was a number of great questions by delegates about various aspects of conference business and also in my view, some rather unwise suggestions. I gently reminded delegates on the personal dangers and wider risks of not following legal advice during debates at conference.  

Nuf said. But Beware! Beware!

UNISON Labour Link London Victory

Well done to London Nurse, Rachel Voller, for winning the Greater London UNISON Labour Link National Committee elections.

Rachel won by a very comfortable majority in the recent postal ballot of all London Labour Link members (2,857 votes against 2,245, a 612 majority over her opponent Andrew Berry - formal commiserations to Andrew).

I think this is a ringing endorsement from London for the UNISON Labour Link National Committee and their democratic decision to nominate Gorden as the Leader of the Labour Party (and Alan for Deputy Leader).

However, it looks very likely (if not certain) that we are facing a real general election in the very near future. so we need to move on and unite and concentrate our energies against the hideous prospect of a Tory Government. Nuff said?