skip to main content

MU General Secretary Joins Calls For Urgent General Election

MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl talks about our presence at this year's party conferences and what’s going on in music education, touring in Europe and orchestras, theatre and arts funding.

Photo ofNaomi Pohl
By Naomi Pohl Published: 20 October 2022 | 5:12 PM
Naomi Pohl speaking into a microphone next to George Peretz KC on a panel at Labour Conference.
We will continue to represent members' interests to decision makers across the UK and work behind the scenes on our key policy areas. Image credit: The MU.

Today we have witnessed the resignation of Liz Truss as Prime Minister after just 45 days and the UK Government is in utter disarray.

At the MU, we add our collective voice to calls for a General Election at the earliest possible opportunity in order to allow the people of this country to choose their next Prime Minister and to restore stability.

Regardless of what happens, however, the MU will not be deterred from its mission. We will continue to represent members' interests to decision makers across the UK and work behind the scenes on our key policy areas.

To that end, the Union had a presence at both Labour and Conservative Party Conferences again this year and we made the most of the opportunity to highlight a range of issues affecting MU members.

We were, however, disappointed to be refused a meeting by the previous Secretary of State for Culture, Nadine Dorries, and we will continue to press for an urgent meeting with her successor, Michelle Donelan. On a more positive note I have had productive meetings with the Shadow Secretary of State, Lucy Powell, and the Leader of the Labour Party, Keir Starmer.

Music Education

The MU stands at both Party Conferences, and our fringe events, focused on universal access to music education in England and better pay and conditions for our teaching members across the UK. Attendees were easily engaged on this subject and appeared passionate about music and music education regardless of their place on the political spectrum.

The Brodsky Quartet played at our Conservative Party Conference reception and Jacqueline from the group spoke passionately about her own experience of free instrumental tuition. Her testimony was powerful and clearly resonated with those present.

At Labour Party Conference, Ben Cooper from the Fabian Society presented his report and recommendations which would deliver an improved music education system in England. We also highlighted better policies that exist in Wales and Scotland.

Orchestras, Theatre and Arts Funding

I sat on a UK Music panel at Conservative Party Conference called The Power of Music. In my contributions to the discussion, I highlighted the work that orchestras do in their local communities – in education, care homes and healthcare settings. I made the point that public funding for orchestras has stood still for 15 years and has decreased significantly in real terms due to inflation.

In discussions with Conservative and Labour Party MPs I argued that we need dynamic tax cuts for arts organisations and well as increased funding and made the point that musicians are low paid on average and many orchestral musicians do not have a clear route to progress and increase their salary.

I also discussed difficulties in the theatre industry and touring with box office sales still not fully recovered post pandemic, international tourism down and rising costs for musicians and companies.

We are supported in these asks by trade bodies such as Creative UK and UK Music.

I have been asking for a meeting with Darren Henley from Arts Council England to discuss these issues and this will now take place in November.

Touring in Europe 

I represented the Union on panels at both Labour and Conservative Conferences discussing ways to improve the UK-EU relationship.

It is clear that achieving an EU-wide deal is unlikely in the short term but at both Conferences there was talk of maximising the opportunity to review the trade agreement in 2026.

In the meantime, the MU is advocating for bilateral agreements that allow for more than 90 days of work in a 180 day period.

Again, I have been speaking to MPs about this and David Lammy's team indicated that he could raise the problems in his talks with EU member states.

 

 

Get MU membership today

From gig players to part-time teachers and professional instrumentalists, MU members can access specialist insurance for musicians. This includes Public Liability, Instrument and Equipment Insurance, Accident Insurance, Tax Investigation Insurance, and Professional Indemnity Insurance for music teachers.

Explore our member services

  • Get public liability insurance for musicians
  • Access expert legal support
  • Be represented in your profession
  • Access expert career advice, resources, and training events
  • Connect, network, and get to know the community of musicians

Learn about all membership benefits

Get MU membership today

Continue reading

Close up of a Border Security Officer at a computer.

Updated Information and Advice for Musicians Working in the US

Tamizdat, a non-profit organisation that facilitates international cultural exchange, has provided updated advice for those entering the US, further to recent press commentary regarding increased scrutiny at ports of entry.

Published: 27 March 2025

Read more about Updated Information and Advice for Musicians Working in the US
Ankna singing into a microphone on stage.

Ankna Arockiam for Women’s History Month: “Women’s Voices are Crucial in Shaping the Future of our Industry”

In our fourth and final blog for Women's History Month 2025, vocalist Ankna Arockiam explores the challenges women in the music industry face, her work around higher education and activism, and how joining the MU opens up opportunities for a more inclusive industry.

Published: 26 March 2025

Read more about Ankna Arockiam for Women’s History Month: “Women’s Voices are Crucial in Shaping the Future of our Industry”
Group of diverse women sat talking around a table, making notes with paper and laptops, smiling as they network and share ideas.

Keychange Announces 2025 Cohort for Talent Leadership Programme

Keychange, a movement dedicated to addressing underrepresentation in music, has announced the new participants in its 2025 Talent Leadership Programme. The cohort, which includes the MU’s own ED&I Officer Diljeet Bhachu, will collaborate to drive transformative change within the industry.

Published: 25 March 2025

Read more about Keychange Announces 2025 Cohort for Talent Leadership Programme
Three wooden jointed figures in various moves representing posture.

Feldenkrais for Musicians: “You Will Learn the Difference Between Your Sacrum and Your Scapula!”

The Feldenkrais Method, which is grounded in science, can enhance movement efficiency in performance. In this blog, string player and MU member Jonathan Evans-Jones shares his experience of Feldenkrais sessions, run by Emma Alter for the MU, and explains why he’s attended them for five years now.

Published: 25 March 2025

Read more about Feldenkrais for Musicians: “You Will Learn the Difference Between Your Sacrum and Your Scapula!”