It was a packed Labour Party Conference for the Musicians’ Union, with several achievements inside and outside the main hall.
Making Labour policy on AI
The MU seconded a motion on AI and automation. It brought together MU policy asks with those of other unions and constituency Labour parties.
The motion recognised the impact of generative AI on creative workers and highlighted that women, Global Majority, disabled and LGBT+ workers are most vulnerable to discrimination by algorithm.
It called on the Labour Government to consult trade unions on AI policy to ensure your rights are upheld, protect fair pay and conditions, and quickly introduce any new rights necessary.
Speaking in support of the motion, MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl said: “We are once again facing a David and Goliath battle where the big tech and major international corporations ride roughshod over the livelihoods and rights of our members... There must be urgent protections for the human creators whose works are being used by tech firms to train and develop their AI models without consent.”
Protecting women in the workplace
Conference also called on the Labour Government to implement the recommendations from the Misogyny in Music report in full. The call was part of a motion on women in the workplace.
Speaking in support of the motion at Labour Women’s Conference earlier in the week, Vice Chair of the MU’s Executive Committee Andi Hopgood said, "Don’t let this be another example of women’s voices being heard but not listened to and not respected.... Everybody deserves to be safe at work.”
Talking to decision-makers about the issues that matter to you
Union representatives met with dozens of MPs over the five days of Conference.
MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl met with Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner alongside other General Secretaries to discuss key measures in the New Deal for Working People.
She also met with Foreign Secretary David Lammy MP alongside other trade union leaders to press for a ceasefire in Gaza.
Other Members of Parliament the MU spoke to during Conference include Secretary of State for Culture Lisa Nandy MP, Minister for Culture Chris Bryant MP, Alex Davies-Jones MP (Pontypridd), Stephen Doughty MP (Cardiff South and Penarth), Belle Ribeiro-Addy MP (Clapham and Brixton Hill), Alex Sobel MP (Leeds Central and Headingly) and Feryal Clark MP (Enfield North).
Naomi and Head of Government Relations Isabelle Gutierrez also met with many of the 2024 intake of MPs including Adam Jogee MP (Newcastle-under-Lyme), Helena Dollimore MP (Hastings and Rye), Liam Conlon MP (Beckenham and Penge) and Neil Duncan-Jordan MP (Poole).
The union also met with Hollie Ridley, who was recently appointed Labour Party General Secretary.
Supporting the change musicians need
Speaking at a packed Labour Unions rally, MU General Secretary Naomi Pohl highlighted the failures of successive Conservative governments.
“When we went to one of their secretaries of state for Culture, Media and Sport - and believe me, there were many, it was difficult to keep up - we said, “Can we have a meeting?” And what we got back was our letter with the word “NO” scrawled on it and sent back to us in the post,” she told delegates.
Naomi compared that to the MU’s relationship with the Labour Party, namechecking cabinet members who have expressed their support for our members including the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, Chancellor and multiple secretaries of state.
Spotlighting music education on the main stage
Keir Starmer used his Labour Party Conference leader’s speech to voice his support for music education and access to art for everyone. It is the first time in decades that a Prime Minister has made such a commitment to music from the main stage.
“Every child deserves the chance to study the creative subjects that widen their horizons, provide skills employers do value, and prepare them for the future, the jobs and the world that they will inherit,” he said.
Launching a review into Arts Council England
Secretary of State for Culture Lisa Nandy also spoke about her passion for arts and culture, supporting arts funding, creative education and resetting the relationship with trade unions.
Nandy also highlighted a key manifesto promise for arts and culture: “We’re about to kick off a review of the Arts Council to ensure arts for everyone, everywhere because we will never accept that culture is just for the privileged few, to be hoarded in a few corners of the country, and we will never accept there is a trade-off between excellence and access.”
Encouraging action on music streaming
Labour Party Conference is not just about meeting MPs. The union goes to talk to activists from across the UK via the union’s stand in the exhibition hall.
Delegates were asked to fill in a postcard asking their MP to act on music streaming, and over 1,000 postcards were signed and sent as a result.
Many delegates shared their experiences of live music and the role it plays in their lives, expressing their solidarity with musicians at Welsh National Opera (WNO) and all musicians struggling to make a living from touring since Brexit.
The union also spoke to councillors and local party activists about access to music education, protecting music venues, and ongoing campaigns at WNO and Northern Ballet.
About the MU at Labour Party Conference
The MU attends Labour Party Conference every year to speak to MPs and delegates about the issues facing musicians and to vote on motions that form the basis of Labour policy.
Did you know that the MU is one of 11 trade unions affiliated to the Labour Party? We affiliate 10,000 members – or just under a third of the union’s membership.
This gives us vital opportunities to advocate for the issues you care about, including fixing music streaming, access to music education and arts funding.