UNISON - welcome to Brighton

I fear I shall miss the London Region pre-meeting for my final UNISON Local Government Conference this evening as I head off for drinks with comrades from Brighton Pavilion Constituency Labour Party.

I shall, however, be at Conference in the morning (for the twenty sixth consecutive year) to participate in debate about the state of local government and the conditions of the local government workforce.

It is good to welcome Conference to my home town with the words of the Patcham Pylons;

"Guest, we ask not what thou art;

If Friend, we greet thee, hand and heart;

If Stranger, such no longer be;

If Foe, our love will conquer thee."

Under the shadow of the burnt out remains of Grenfall Tower the spectre of austerity in local government stands over our deliberations every bit as much as they are encouraged and informed by the progress made by Labour in the General Election.

The challenges facing UNISON members, activists and officials are as great as they have ever been.