TUC Congress 2026

It was great to see first-hand where the trade union movement in the UK goes next, and it was a good reminder of how much has shifted since Labour has entered office in 2024. Powerful contributions from TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government Angela Rayner and First Secretary of State Louise Haigh set out both the importance of the union movement for workers' rights and the need for a concerted effort to mobilise against the far right.

It was just as good to hear about what the movement has achieved over the past year, and why a closer relationship between Britain and Europe matters for securing stronger rights for workers in the UK. Stronger ties across the Channel are not an abstraction; they shape the standards workers on both sides can expect.

Thank you to the TUC for a thought-provoking few days.