Brexit & Yorkshire: A year to go? TUC conference

The conference, held in Leeds, discussed the risks and priorities of leaving the EU, and the way in which the government could and should put working people first in any negotiations. The conference heard some 12 speakers, all of whom spoke passionately on a Brexit deal that works for working people.

Themes discussed included: the future for jobs & employment rights in Yorkshire; regenerating Yorkshire’s towns & communities; jobs, rights & no hard border: The TUC's view on the deal we need; what 'red tape' is at risk and; from Brussels to Yorkshire – what powers for devolution.

Neil Derrick of GMB spoke eloquently, asserting that workers deserve to know what the consequences of Brexit will be for their lives, stressing the importance of government transparency when negotiating the UK's relationship with the EU. He also emphasised that, though the UK is leaving the European Union, the GMB is proud to have EU migrants as members & will continue to campaign against xenophobia.

Hillary Benn MP provided a much-needed perspective of the Brexit process from within the House of Commons, and outlined the priority of no hard border between Northern Ireland and the Republic, saying: "an empty piece of tarmac - there is nothing there. And that is the whole point. That is the legacy of the Good Friday Agreement".

Frances O'Grady stressed that a quarter of a million jobs in Yorkshire depend on trade with the EU, and that any deal must put workers first. She also articulated a key concern, that of a no-deal: "ministers are so unprepared that we’re still facing a real risk of Britain crashing out of the EU without a deal."

The conference was well-attended, and the high energy of attendees and speakers continued throughout the day. There is hope for a workers' brexit yet!