MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl at last year's Labour Party Conference. Image credit: Jonathan Stewart © The MU.
The Musicians' Union has welcomed the Labour Party Manifesto, published on Thursday, which tackles many of the issues that the Union has raised with the Labour Party on behalf of members.
The Manifesto includes commitments to:
- help break down barriers for artists touring in the EU
- implement a broader curriculum, including music education
- tackle late payments to help small businesses and the self-employed
- improve workers' rights with a New Deal for Working People.
Meaningful policies for MU members
The MU has been affiliated to the Labour Party since 1943 and is represented on the party's National Executive Committee, giving the Union vital opportunities to advocate on the issues members care about.
Having secured specific policy commitments at the National Policy Forum last year, the MU is pleased to see these followed up and built upon in the manifesto.
We have been directly involved in the Labour Party manifesto process
Naomi Pohl, MU General Secretary says: “The MU is Labour-affiliated and, along with fellow unions, we have been involved in shaping policy for a Labour Government for many years now. Having not had significant access to Conservative ministers, with a few notable exceptions, we have a chance of a Government that prioritises the Arts and wants to engage with us on issues facing musicians.
“This is the first time that the MU has been so directly involved in the Labour Party manifesto process and had a chance to influence the final document. We are delighted to see so many references to music and meaningful commitments that will change our members' lives for the better.
“While we know our membership is a broad church politically, we would be missing a once in a generation opportunity if we didn't encourage musicians to vote Labour. This is an opportunity to shift the dial for the creative workforce of today and tomorrow”.
This work is possible thanks to the Union's political fund, which members voted to keep earlier this year.
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