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John Bercow demands more respect for unions at TUC conference John Bercow demands more respect for unions at TUC conference
(about 1 hour later)
John Bercow has become the first Speaker of the Commons to address the TUC conference, calling for more respect for the “important work” trade unions do. John Bercow has became the first Speaker of the Commons to address the TUC, treating trade union delegates to a somewhat shaky impression of the late Tony Benn.
During the speech in Brighton he avoided mentioning the government’s trade union bill due to have its second reading in the Commons on Tuesday afternoon, seen by critics as the most serious attack on worker’s rights in a generation. Bercow, who will on Monday afternoon oversee the debate on the Tories’ controversial trade union bill, called for more respect for the important work of unions at the TUC annual congress in Brighton.
Bercow set a very different tone to government ministers, telling delegates: “I am proud to be here among your number, proud to be your guest and I say that because I respect and admire the invaluable and precious work you do in promoting fairness in the workplace and the wider work you do in pursuit of greater equality across society.” Related: David Davis attacks 'Franco-style' sections of Tories' trade union bill
More details soon … During a 15-minute speech, he avoided any direct mention of the bill, which is seen by critics as the most serious attack on workers’ rights in a generation, but struck a starkly different tone to Conservative ministers.
He said: “The work you do in resolving grievances, standing up for the disadvantaged is important work which deserves respect, and it certainly has mine.”
Bercow spoke of the “heroic struggle”of the Tolpuddle Martyrs and said it was hugely to the credit of the TUC and its affiliated unions that they campaigned for rights in countries such as Zimbabwe and Saudi Arabia.
He said that when he started out in politics as a rightwing Conservative student leader, he would not have wanted to address a room of trade unionists, adding: “And believe me, you would not have wanted to be addressed by me.”
But he said he now he saw the work of unions as central to creating a decent, more equal society, telling activists he had opened a creche in the Commons and ensured that all employees were paid at least the London living wage.
To the surprise of delegates, Bercow then launched into an impression of Benn and the leftwinger’s view on the accountability of power, prompting laughter and applause from the audience.