I drove the MU van up to Liverpool last Thursday, in the company of Mick Guibout, as stage one in establishing the MU’s profile at this year’s Labour Party Conference.
The Friday saw my colleague Maddy Radcliff and I build and decorate our stand with this year’s “history of the union” materials in the event’s exhibition area in the ACC Arena in Albert Docks.
We were staying at the Novotel in Hanover Street, a short walk from the arena, and it would prove to be a valuable resting place as seven days at the Conference was highly successful but understandably tiring.
Following the Women’s Conference on the Saturday, the main Conference kicked off on the Sunday morning and our stand was constantly busy until the Leader’s speech on the following Wednesday with delegates, MPs and the media dropping by. Visitors of note included Kevin Brennan MP, Kelvin Hopkins MP, Lord Pendlebury, actor/director Mark McGann, Shadow Chief Whip Rosie Winterton and former local councillor Derek Hatton.
Maddy and I were also present as Jeremy Corbyn and Eddie Izzard gave impassioned speeches, outside on the dockside, calling for help for the people of Yemen.
A great week all round and congratulations to the MU team consisting of General Secretary John Smith, Chair of the Union’s Executive Committee Dave Lee, Vice Chair Kathy Dyson, plus Officials Steve Haynes and Morris Stemp for representing the Union’s work so effectively and highlighting the importance of ongoing investment in the arts.
