Mayor Brabin’s keynote will explore building an inclusive trade union and music industry. Photo provided by Mayor Tracy Brabin.
Mayor Brabin is a long time advocate for music and the arts, having worked as an actor and writer before representing Batley and Spen as an MP from 2016 to 2021.
In Parliament, she led the charge on Shared Parental Pay and Leave for freelancers and advocated for music education, musicians working in the EU post-Brexit, and support for music and arts workers during the Covid-19 pandemic.
She was elected as the first Mayor of West Yorkshire, and the first ever woman Metro Mayor in England, in May 2021. During her mayoral campaign, Brabin pledged to create 1000 skilled jobs for young people, lead a Creative New Deal for the region, bring buses back under public control, tackle the climate emergency, and build 5000 affordable and sustainable homes.
Mayor Brabin’s keynote will explore building an inclusive trade union and music industry, and the importance of equality, diversity and inclusion to music and the arts in West Yorkshire.
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Protecting music’s talent pipeline
Reflecting the theme of equality, diversity and inclusion, Members’ Conference delegates will have the opportunity to take part in their choice of breakout sessions over two days.
A session on ‘Strengthening the talent pipeline’ will explore what the MU can do to ensure access to music education and a career in the music industry for working class musicians. The session will be led by MU member Jermain Jackman, and supported by Kate Whitley (co-founder of The Multi-Story Orchestra).
‘Making UBI a reality’ will look at universal basic income as a solution to low and no pay in the industry, and how can the Union’s young members can lead the campaign. This session will be led by MU member Dr Sam Murray and supported by a representative of UBI Lab Network.
A session on ‘Moving towards gender equality’ will come up with practical ways in which the MU can tackle the barriers that limit women in the music industry. This session will be led by MU member Isobel Anderson, and supported by Nadia Khan (Women in CTRL) and Christine Osazuwa (She Said So).
Every session will be led by members, for members, with support from specialist organisations and MU staff – and will focus on practical ways of making change. That could be a new policy, position statement, campaign ideas or points for a lobbying agenda.
Be sure your voice is heard
Register to attend one or both days on the Conference, and choose the breakout sessions you prefer to take part in. This is your chance as a member to meet fellow musicians, network, and discuss the issues that matter to you.
Sign up for MU Members’ Conference now