Trade unions have played a central role in the Labour Party since its creation. Today, Labour has 12 trade union affiliates who provide funding, resources, activists and candidates, and who have considerable representation within the democratic structures of the party. As Labour moves in a new direction under Keir Starmer's leadership, what will this mean for the trade unions' relationship to the party? Join labour movement leaders and thinkers to discuss the role of trade unions within Labour, how the union link has shaped the development of both the party and the unions, and how the unions should relate to the new Labour Party leadership.
Leo Panitch is Emeritus Professor of Politics at York University in Toronto, Canada, and author of ‘Searching for Socialism’ with Colin Leys.
Centre Left Grassroots Alliance candidate in the Labour NEC elections and Co-chair of the Campaign for Labour Party Democracy
Sam is the MP for Ilford South and previously the national political officer for the TSSA union.