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Democracy in Action: Rule Changes and Carried Motions from MU Delegate Conference 2025

At our recent Delegate Conference, held in Liverpool on 22–23 July, ten changes to the MU Rules were agreed, and 23 member-submitted motions were carried. Find out more below and view the full details online.

Photo ofPhil Kear
By Phil Kear Published: 10 September 2025 | 7:19 PM
Close up of a hand holding the Union’s vote card, with the Delegate Conference room out of focus in the background.
All of the rule changes and carried motions from Delegate Conference 2025 can now be viewed online. Photo: Belinda Enthoven.

Ten amendments to the MU Rules were considered and agreed by conference delegates. The updated MU Rules came into force on 5 September.

These changes include a significant overhaul of the General Secretary election process (Rule VIII)—incorporating recommendations from the process review group established following the most recent election in 2021/2022—as well as the introduction of reserved seats on the Executive Committee for under-represented communities, starting in 2027.

Full details of the proposed and agreed rule changes are available here.

Carried motions

A total of 25 motions were submitted by members and approved by regional committees to be brought forward for consideration at the conference.

In addition, an emergency motion on the subject of free speech in relation to support for Palestine was received on Day one of the conference.

Of these, 23 motions were carried, including:

  • A call for the MU to promulgate fair rates for musicians working in healthcare settings
  • Proposals to improve support networks for buskers
  • A motion to lobby music venues receiving ticket levy funding to join our Fair Play Venue Scheme

All carried motions become part of MU policy, and work will be undertaken over the next two years to progress them ahead of the next Delegate Conference in 2027.

Full details of all carried motions from Delegate Conference 2025 are available here.

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