It is a profound honour to stand before you today, even under such sorrowful circumstances.
As many of you are already aware, the Prime Minister’s father passed away on Sunday night. I believe I speak on behalf of everyone present when I express our heartfelt condolences to Andy and his family during this difficult time, as they mourn the loss of a husband, father, and grandfather.
The Influence of Family
The Prime Minister has shared moving reflections on the significant impact his father, Roy, had on shaping both his life and his political values. Many of you in this gathering have personally felt the devastating effects of Alzheimer’s on your families and loved ones.
In moments like these, one seeks the comfort of close family and friends. This is why Andy deeply regrets his absence from today’s proceedings.
It is crucial to recognise that the strength of our movement originates from our deep-rooted connections within the trade unions. Such moments serve as invaluable opportunities for us to unite and remind ourselves of our shared mission: to uplift the lives of working people.
Like any family, we will experience our differences and disagreements, both significant and minor. However, on occasions like today, it is imperative that we come together and focus on our commonalities and the achievements we have realised collectively.
Shared Values and Collective Belief
Throughout my political career, I have had the privilege of sitting alongside many of you at the negotiating table, and in other instances, across from you. I certainly have my preferences! At times, you have supported us, and at others, you have challenged us, always expressing your views candidly, something we greatly value.
Over the years, whether in Opposition or Government, we have been united by a core belief: that ordinary individuals facing powerful institutions should never be left to fend for themselves. This principle lies at the heart of this government and resonates with the core values of your work.
We are united in our shared ambition to cultivate a society where everyone, regardless of their location, has the opportunity to reach their potential and enjoy the rich, fulfilling life they deserve. As the late, great Jimmy Reid once said, “a rat race is for rats.”
Congress, we understand that such a future will not be handed to us; we must actively strive for it every day. With unwavering determination to advocate for working people and the courage to act when necessary, we can pave the way for change.
Achievements and Ongoing Commitment
While the journey is not always straightforward, nothing of worth ever is. I take immense pride in the progress we have made thus far: introducing new rights for renters, lifting half a million children out of poverty by abolishing the two-child cap, and investing record amounts into our NHS. We have also worked to rebuild our infrastructure, save our steel industry, and restore public control to our bus services.
Particularly dear to me, from my time as Transport Secretary, is the return of our railways to public ownership. We recognise that there remains much work to do, and we must accelerate our efforts to deliver the transformative change that the country expects.
Rest assured, this government stands firmly on the side of working people, whether it involves advocating for workers unjustly dismissed by P&O Ferries or reforming public procurement to create more quality jobs here in Britain. I can assure you that there will be no ambiguity about whose interests we represent under this administration.
Facing Modern Challenges Together
As Barbara Castle, the renowned socialist from Yorkshire, once said, “In politics, guts is all.” We are fortunate to have many strong advocates within this government, and it is wonderful to see Angela Rayner with us today.
This requires us to confront the pressing issues of our time, including the tremendous potential of artificial intelligence (AI). AI holds the promise to enhance lives, strengthen our public services, and drive groundbreaking scientific advancements. However, we must acknowledge the legitimate concerns regarding its implications for employment, the future of our children, and societal safety.
We must heed the warnings from those on the front lines of this technological evolution. The risks to our national security and society are significant if appropriate safeguards are not implemented. This issue transcends national borders, and we are committed to collaborating with international partners to ensure it is managed correctly.
Commitment to Justice and Peace
AI will undoubtedly reshape our lives and those of future generations. We bear a solemn responsibility to mitigate the associated risks, ensuring that its benefits are reaped by society at large. The challenges we face—and our collective responses—will ultimately define the legacy we leave for our children.
As trade unions have historically stood in solidarity with those facing injustice, we too must be guided by those shared values, both domestically and globally, addressing pressing issues such as the situation in Gaza and the West Bank.
The Prime Minister rightly remarked that Britain has been slow to respond to this crisis. At a time when it is crucial to affirm our identity, we hesitated. But Congress, that will no longer be the case.
We will not turn a blind eye while innocent Palestinian families are torn apart, while children perish in Gaza, or while the hope of a two-state solution dissipates before our eyes. The sanctions announced by Ed Miliband last week aim to change our course, targeting illegal settlements and increasing pressure on the Israeli government, all while keeping the hope for peace in the Middle East alive.
Restoring Power to Communities
We will not shy away from standing against injustice and advocating for peace. We will forge a coalition of international allies to present a united front and remind the world who we are. The lesson is clear: our collective power is significant. Yet, as the Prime Minister has pointed out, we have spent far too long undermining it.
We must remember the implications of the wrong turns taken in the 1980s, and what they meant for our unions. You were weakened and marginalised in the subsequent decades, treated as a nuisance at best and as part of the problem at worst. These attacks were not solely aimed at you; they were direct assaults on the millions of working people you represent—the nurse finishing a night shift, the teaching assistant opening school gates, the bus driver getting commuters to their destinations.
Addressing the Cost of Living Crisis
When they weakened the unions, they weakened the very workers who tirelessly contribute to our society. While this government has the privilege of serving, I assure you: we will not regress to those days.
However, our communities continue to bear the consequences of those lost decades. Good jobs and opportunities have been drained away, councils have been left underpowered and under-resourced, high streets have become desolate, and the communal spaces that once brought people together are now shuttered and abandoned.
The frustration experienced by people across the country—including many of your members—is justified. It arises from the repeated notion that “the decisions have already been made” and that “this is simply how things are.” It is the product of a society that has become comfortable with leaving certain individuals and places behind.
No longer, Congress. We are committed to restoring power to our communities, to the workplace, and ultimately, to working people.
A New Vision for the Future
Over the past eight weeks, I have engaged with leaders from various regional and local governments, each facing unique challenges and opportunities. Yet, a common worry has emerged regarding the cost of living crisis.
This government is dedicated to instilling hope back into this country, to rekindling belief in our collective potential. However, we are acutely aware of what lies ahead—for many families, hope and belief are luxuries that currently feel out of reach.
When you are overwhelmed by bills and plagued by worry, those ideals cannot serve as a foundation. They are simply unattainable aspirations. We cannot ask people to look towards the future until they can see their way through the end of the month.
Rewiring the State for Change
Over the summer, we began taking steps to provide some respite for individuals. Yet, to support working people in the long term and effect meaningful change, we must completely rewire the state. This cannot be achieved without first listening to the voices of working people, without the advocates who amplify those voices daily.
It is imperative that we have the participation of every single one of you, Congress. This may not be a sentiment often echoed in party politics, and it might not align with what some of my ministerial colleagues anticipated on their first day, but they all understand: expect to relinquish power.
If a decision can be made closer to the individuals it impacts, that is where it must occur. If a city identifies a new transport link that could unlock thousands of jobs, we want it to have the authority to implement it. If a town sees future job opportunities, it must have the power to prepare its young people accordingly. If a community has the chance to revitalise a struggling high street, it should possess the autonomy to do so.
Empowering Local Communities
Wherever opportunities for working people arise, and wherever there is potential for investment, good jobs, or new
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