The simple principle that unites all of us in the labour movement: fairness

29.09.09

Sheila Bearcroft, member of the GMB Central Executive Council representing Wales, the out going President of the TUC this morning delivered a sororal address to the Labour Party Conference in Brighton. This is the text of her speech.

“Chair, Conference

It’s great to be here in Brighton today. I’m proud to bring sororal greetings from the TUC, and in doing so return the greetings that Cath Speight brought to out Congress just two weeks ago.

As a committed trade unionist and Labour Party activist Cath stressed the unique ties that have bound us together for over a century.

And that’s the message I want to repeat today.

Because when times are tough, those bonds become even more important. Never have our shared histories shared values and shared commitment to social justice mattered more than now.

The great challenges we face today - rebuilding our economy, getting Britain back to work, and safeguarding vital public services - are challenges that we must face together.

That’s why I was delighted that so many senior figures from the Labour government tool time to join us at Congress up in Liverpool.

Gordon Brown and Ed Miliband both addressed the conference itself - and both received a very warn reception.

And Harriett Harman spoke at our annual dinner, attended by so many good friends for the Party, and the response was fantastic.

All proof that the link between party and union is as strong as ever.

And I’m proud at a personal level that my union the GMB has worked so closely with you over the years to deliver a better deal for ordinary working people.

With a general election fast approaching that crucial work must go on.

Of course, we’ll never agree on everything - and we’ll always have different roles. Ours in the trade union movement is to representing people at work. Yours in the party is to form a government and make Britain a better place. But there will always s be more that unites us than divides us. Despite what you may read in the press we in the trade union do not underestimate what Labour has achieved since 19979. Only a Labour government would have introduced a national minimum wage and improved rights for people at work. Only a Labour government would have invested so much in our schools and hospitals.

And only a Labour government would have intervened to prevent our financial system from complete meltdown. You know, sometimes we forget just how bad things were under the Tories. Many younger voters have no recollection of the damage, despair and devastation caused by 18 long years of Tory government. It wouldn’t harm us to tell them. But at the same time there cannot be any room for complacency. We remain in the grip of the most savage recession since the 1930s and ordinary working people are feeling the pain. Unemployment is still rising.

The Far Right is preying on some of our most vulnerable communities. And the public services we all depend on are at risk. Conference, it’s our job to speak up for the people that depend on us, men and women, black and white, young and old. We must ensure that those who did the least to cause this crisis do not suffer its worst consequences. And we must always remember the simple principle that unites all of us in the labour movement: fairness. So together let us extend a helping hand to those who need it most. Together let us set out a positive, hopeful vision of our future and together let us create a fairer, more equal Britain. Thanks for listening and have a great conference.”