History & Policy

Frances Scott - 50:50 Parliament

9 February 2018 - 10:15 am - 14:45 pm

How can global and historical movements for women’s political rights provide models for achieving racial and gender equality in the British political arena?

On the centenary of the 1918 Representation of the People Act, this one-day workshop will explore the ways in which past and contemporary movements, especially featuring women of colour and women in the global south, can be applied to current issues regarding voting and parliamentary representation. The session will include papers delivered by a number of historians and social scientists, whose discussions will draw upon examples that include Australia, Brazil, the Caribbean, India, and South Africa. Sam Smethers (Chief Executive, Fawcett Society) and Frances Scott (Founder, 50:50 Parliament) will also provide discussion on current policy and campaigning practices. Through collaborative discussion between academics, policy-makers and political activists, the session will consider the ways in which these global and historical movements can be used to attain greater equality and diversity in the British political arena.

Jad Adams - University of London

9 February 2018 - 10:15 am - 14:45 pm

How can global and historical movements for women’s political rights provide models for achieving racial and gender equality in the British political arena?

On the centenary of the 1918 Representation of the People Act, this one-day workshop will explore the ways in which past and contemporary movements, especially featuring women of colour and women in the global south, can be applied to current issues regarding voting and parliamentary representation. The session will include papers delivered by a number of historians and social scientists, whose discussions will draw upon examples that include Australia, Brazil, the Caribbean, India, and South Africa. Sam Smethers (Chief Executive, Fawcett Society) and Frances Scott (Founder, 50:50 Parliament) will also provide discussion on current policy and campaigning practices. Through collaborative discussion between academics, policy-makers and political activists, the session will consider the ways in which these global and historical movements can be used to attain greater equality and diversity in the British political arena.

Cassia Roth - University of Edinburgh

9 February 2018 - 10:15 am - 14:45 pm

How can global and historical movements for women’s political rights provide models for achieving racial and gender equality in the British political arena?

On the centenary of the 1918 Representation of the People Act, this one-day workshop will explore the ways in which past and contemporary movements, especially featuring women of colour and women in the global south, can be applied to current issues regarding voting and parliamentary representation. The session will include papers delivered by a number of historians and social scientists, whose discussions will draw upon examples that include Australia, Brazil, the Caribbean, India, and South Africa. Sam Smethers (Chief Executive, Fawcett Society) and Frances Scott (Founder, 50:50 Parliament) will also provide discussion on current policy and campaigning practices. Through collaborative discussion between academics, policy-makers and political activists, the session will consider the ways in which these global and historical movements can be used to attain greater equality and diversity in the British political arena.

Sumita Mukherjee - University of Bristol

9 February 2018 - 10:15 am - 14:45 pm

How can global and historical movements for women’s political rights provide models for achieving racial and gender equality in the British political arena?

On the centenary of the 1918 Representation of the People Act, this one-day workshop will explore the ways in which past and contemporary movements, especially featuring women of colour and women in the global south, can be applied to current issues regarding voting and parliamentary representation. The session will include papers delivered by a number of historians and social scientists, whose discussions will draw upon examples that include Australia, Brazil, the Caribbean, India, and South Africa. Sam Smethers (Chief Executive, Fawcett Society) and Frances Scott (Founder, 50:50 Parliament) will also provide discussion on current policy and campaigning practices. Through collaborative discussion between academics, policy-makers and political activists, the session will consider the ways in which these global and historical movements can be used to attain greater equality and diversity in the British political arena.

Sarah Veale, Manifesto for a comprehensive revision of workers' rights

The future of UK labour law

Room S3.30, Strand Building, King's College London, Strand, London WC2R 2LS

After a century of self-regulation and light legal control of industrial relations, Britain swung to a much tighter state-regulated system from the early 1980s. These laws were most one-sided and restrictive of trade unions and their activities, both during disputes and in terms of their internal governance. They remained so despite three terms of Labour government from the late 1990s (though significant improvement of employee rights occurred then). They were overlaid by more progressive EU Directives in the 2000s, especially as regards employee equality rights.

With the triggering of Britain's departure from the EU, it is surely time to revisit this entire framework of law. The TUF is therefore initiating a 'root and branch' examination of the origins of British Labour law from the repeal of the Combination laws (1824/5) through to the strengthening of union rights (1870s to 1906) and on to the severe restrictions of those rights in the 1980s. We will then be looking forward with ideas/proposals for a fairer and more balanced scenario in a future post-Brexit Britain.

Professor Richard Whiting, The Thatcher reforms of the 1980s

The future of UK labour law

Room S3.30, Strand Building, King's College London, Strand, London WC2R 2LS

After a century of self-regulation and light legal control of industrial relations, Britain swung to a much tighter state-regulated system from the early 1980s. These laws were most one-sided and restrictive of trade unions and their activities, both during disputes and in terms of their internal governance. They remained so despite three terms of Labour government from the late 1990s (though significant improvement of employee rights occurred then). They were overlaid by more progressive EU Directives in the 2000s, especially as regards employee equality rights.

With the triggering of Britain's departure from the EU, it is surely time to revisit this entire framework of law. The TUF is therefore initiating a 'root and branch' examination of the origins of British Labour law from the repeal of the Combination laws (1824/5) through to the strengthening of union rights (1870s to 1906) and on to the severe restrictions of those rights in the 1980s. We will then be looking forward with ideas/proposals for a fairer and more balanced scenario in a future post-Brexit Britain.

Dr Adrian Williamson, The Age of Voluntarism? Trade Union law and practice 1914-1979

The future of UK labour law

Room S3.30, Strand Building, King's College London, Strand, London WC2R 2LS

After a century of self-regulation and light legal control of industrial relations, Britain swung to a much tighter state-regulated system from the early 1980s. These laws were most one-sided and restrictive of trade unions and their activities, both during disputes and in terms of their internal governance. They remained so despite three terms of Labour government from the late 1990s (though significant improvement of employee rights occurred then). They were overlaid by more progressive EU Directives in the 2000s, especially as regards employee equality rights.

With the triggering of Britain's departure from the EU, it is surely time to revisit this entire framework of law. The TUF is therefore initiating a 'root and branch' examination of the origins of British Labour law from the repeal of the Combination laws (1824/5) through to the strengthening of union rights (1870s to 1906) and on to the severe restrictions of those rights in the 1980s. We will then be looking forward with ideas/proposals for a fairer and more balanced scenario in a future post-Brexit Britain.

Dr Jim Moher, From Repression to the 'Great Charter of Union Rights' - the Combination Laws to the Trade Disputes Act 1906

The future of UK labour law

Room S3.30, Strand Building, King's College London, Strand, London WC2R 2LS

After a century of self-regulation and light legal control of industrial relations, Britain swung to a much tighter state-regulated system from the early 1980s. These laws were most one-sided and restrictive of trade unions and their activities, both during disputes and in terms of their internal governance. They remained so despite three terms of Labour government from the late 1990s (though significant improvement of employee rights occurred then). They were overlaid by more progressive EU Directives in the 2000s, especially as regards employee equality rights.

With the triggering of Britain's departure from the EU, it is surely time to revisit this entire framework of law. The TUF is therefore initiating a 'root and branch' examination of the origins of British Labour law from the repeal of the Combination laws (1824/5) through to the strengthening of union rights (1870s to 1906) and on to the severe restrictions of those rights in the 1980s. We will then be looking forward with ideas/proposals for a fairer and more balanced scenario in a future post-Brexit Britain.

Sir Thomas Legg’s career at the Lord Chancellor’s Department spanned nearly 40 years and between 1989 and his retirement in 1998 he held the posts of Permanent Secretary and Clerk of the Crown in Chancery. Since retirement he has also chaired several government inquiries including the investigation into the parliamentary expenses scandal in 2009-10. During this period there were many important developments in the UK legal system and its role within the UK constitution, including the incorporation of European law and the rise of judicial review of government action. Sir Thomas will reflect on his unique experiences and their implications for the crucial issue of the relationship between government and the rule of law.

May 2017 - 18:00 pm - 19:30 pm

Nash Lecture Theatre, King's College London, Strand, London WC2R 2LS

Nearly one million workers in the UK are on zero-hour contracts. A further five million are nominally self-employed. In modern Britain, flexibility is often presented as a way of reconciling pressures between work and family life.

Sally Brett, Head of Equality, Inclusion and Culture at the British Medical Association, will pose the question: what kind of flexibility do workers want and need? The ability to vary working hours from the standard, full-time pattern or to secure time off for family reasons is important to working parents and carers, particularly women, who are still the primary care-givers in most families. But it’s not just flexibility that matters. Control over working hours, adequate notice of working hours and predictability and certainty in working hours are important too. Employers who respect employees’ life and responsibilities outside of work are likely to benefit from higher engagement, lower sickness absence and lower turnover.