UNISON Scotland Labour Link

Willie Docherty Chair UNISON Scotland Labour Link @ @scottishlabour.bsky.social Policy Conf. @unison.org.uk believes Labour needs to go further & faster on removing profit from care & against NHS buying from private sector. 'We'll not shut up about this, we will keep advocating for public services!'

5 things we learned from Labour's conference | Article | News | UNISON National Labour’s annual get together has drawn to a close in Liverpool. It got plenty of media attention. But how was it for UNISON?

2025's Labour Party Conference was an interesting one, but what was happening in the UNISON corner? Check out the round-up here 👇

After hearing the inspiring speeches & seeing the government’s efforts up close, we're leaving with a real sense of hope. Trade unions like UNISON are the driving force behind our movement. We’ll always defend our members, hold the government to account & fight for a fairer future for working people

As a UNISON Scotland Labour Link delegate, great to hear Ed Miliband at #LabourConference on making Britain a clean energy superpower ⚡🌍
Clean energy means lower bills for our NHS & schools, 830,000 green jobs & a fairer future for workers & communities. ✊💜🌹

Final day at Labour Conference 🌹💜
It’s been a busy and inspiring few days for the UNISON Scotland Labour Link delegation — standing up for our members, protecting public services and making sure Scotland’s voice is heard loud and clear.

#UNISON #LabourLink #LabourConference

Great to have Christina McAnea with us as part of the UNISON Labour Link delegation 💜✊
Her leadership and support are invaluable as we stand up for public services, fair pay and working people.
#UNISON #LabourLink #StrongerTogether

🌹 Renewal for Britain, Renewal for Our NHS.

At #LabourConference, Keir Starmer set out a clear vision: put working people first, grow the economy from the grassroots, reform public services, and build a modern NHS fit for the future. ✊
#LabourConference #OurNHS

This morning we heard from Wes Streeting.

UNISON members are the NHS: doctors, nurses, porters, carers. We’ll always fight cuts, privatisation & poverty pay. The NHS must stay universal, public & free at the point of use. Our values. NHS values. Britain’s values. ✊💜

👏 Proud to see Linda Hobson move UNISON’s motion on wholly owned subsidiaries at #LabourConference today.

A clear message: public services belong in public hands — not carved up, outsourced, or undermined. 💜✊
#UNISON #PublicServices #StrongerTogether

Day 3 at Labour Conference 🌹✊
As your UNISON Labour Link delegate, I’m looking forward to hearing from Keir Starmer this afternoon — a chance to set out Labour’s vision for working people and the future of our public services.

This morning at Labour Party Conference, UNISON General Secretary Christina McAnea moved the motion on Palestine, underlining the need for a just peace and support for humanitarian aid.

Your UNISON Scotland Labour Link delegates are here on Day 2 of Conference — standing up for public services, fair pay, and strong workers’ rights.

Delegation attending the Annual Trade Union Reception tonight ✊💜

🎤 Chair: Anneliese Midgley
🗣️ Speakers: Keir Starmer MP, the Labour Unions leadership, Clare Mellor (Thompsons Solicitors), and Anna Turley MP.

Always stronger when we stand together. #TradeUnions #ABetterLifeAtWork

📢 At #LabourConference Douglas Alexander underlined Labour’s commitment to Scotland’s public services.

✊ A Labour Scotland means:
🩺 Fixing our NHS
🏠 Tackling the housing crisis
💼 Standing up for workers’ rights

UNISON activists know: Scotland can’t afford more SNP failure.

⚡️ Call to Action
• Scotland is being held back by SNP failure.
• Scottish Labour offers new leadership, new ideas, new direction.
• In 7 months, we can choose:
🔴 Ambition & opportunity with Labour
🟡 Decline & excuses with the SNP

🩺 Scotland under the SNP
• Contrast couldn’t be clearer:
❌ SNP: record NHS waits, falling schools, housing crisis, police cuts
✅ Labour: fixing the NHS, building homes, returning community policing, supporting jobs

🇬🇧 On the world stage
• Labour has restored Britain’s place in the world:
🌍 Backing Ukraine against Russian aggression
✊ Recognising the state of Palestine at the UN
🤝 Delivering new trade deals creating tens of thousands of jobs

🚩 Key Labour Achievements
• In just 15 months, Labour has delivered:
🔹 The biggest upgrade to workers’ rights in a generation
🔹 Stability after Tory chaos – families up to £5,000 better off
🔹 Shipbuilding secured in Glasgow with a £10bn export deal
🔹 Ended austerity once and for all

Building a better life at work – one conversation at a time 💜✊

At the UNISON stall today, supporting workers, raising awareness and standing up for fairness, equality and respect in every workplace. Because everyone deserves a better life at work – and we’re here to help make it happen.

Keir Starmer - After decades of struggle, justice for Hillsborough families has finally been written into law.
⚖️ The LRAP law ensures the state can never again cover up the truth or smear victims.
💙 The thanks belong not to government, but to the families & campaigners who fought for this moment.

🌹✊ Day one at Labour Party Conference in Liverpool.
The UNISON Scotland Labour Link delegation is on the ground, ensuring Scotland’s voice is heard loud and clear.
We’re here to stand up for public services and make sure working people are at the heart of Labour’s vision for the future.

UNISON Scotland Labour Link delegation are on their way to Liverpool for the Labour Party Conference.

Looking forward to a busy few days of debates, discussions and campaigning to keep public services and workers’ rights at the heart of politics. 💜✊🌹

Lindsay McNaught moving Motion 22: Let’s Talk About Assisted Dying.

A complex, emotional issue.
People fear a painful death without dignity. Others fear being made vulnerable. Both deserve to be heard.

We need open, respectful debate.

💜 Emotional speech from Jacqueline Keddie on Motion 18:

🚌 “Free local public transport for under 21s in Further Education isn’t just support—it’s freedom, opportunity & fairness.”

Time to break down barriers for working-class young people.

Andrew Verrecchia, backing Motion 11: - Outsourcing in the NHS - In House is Best at UNISON Labour Link Forum.
Outsourcing in the NHS isn’t just bad policy—it’s a moral failure.
“Profit must never come before patients. Insourcing is how we restore care, dignity & fairness to our public services.”

🚨 Tackling the far right isn't optional, it's urgent. Billy Stewart speaking in support of Motion 10: Strengthening the Bonds and Holding to Account.

We call on Labour to:
🟣 Fund public services that unite communities
🟣 Stand up to Reform UK & far-right hate
🟣 Build solidarity, not division.

🎤 Panel: Tackling the Rise of Reform UK.

We were joined for a vital discussion with: 🔸 Nick Lowles – HOPE not hate
🔸 Clare Williams – UNISON Northern Region Secretary.

Standing up to hate, defending democracy, and protecting our communities. ✊

UNISON Scotland Labour Link Forum 2025 delegation ✊️

Willie Docherty moving Motion 4: Standing Up for Equality at #UNISON Labour Link Forum 💜✊

We face a global assault on equality. Our rights are not up for negotiation. No appeasement. No retreat.

UNISON Scotland stands firm. #Equality #LabourLink #UNISON #Scotland

UNISON Scotland Labour Link delegation at the Labour Link Forum in Glasgow today – speaking up for our members, moving motions and setting out our plan for Scotland.

Also marking one year on from a Labour government – progress made, more to do. ✊ #UNISON #LabourLink #Scotland