Dom Trendall
@domtrendall.bsky.social
Trade unionist and policy geek. Labour through and through, whatever the weather. He/him. Views entirely my own (and generally too detailed).
The RCN and other health unions are right to speak out today. Attacks on nursing staff and other health workers in Gaza and beyond are indefensible. These are war crimes, plain and simple. The UK must back ICC prosecutions and stand firm in defence of international law.
October 15, 2025 at 10:39 AM
The RCN and other health unions are right to speak out today. Attacks on nursing staff and other health workers in Gaza and beyond are indefensible. These are war crimes, plain and simple. The UK must back ICC prosecutions and stand firm in defence of international law.
‘Lanyard class’ makes no sense. A lanyard doesn’t mark class, it just keeps your pass handy. The people wearing them are the ones grafting — including the staff holding up health and care.
September 3, 2025 at 8:27 AM
‘Lanyard class’ makes no sense. A lanyard doesn’t mark class, it just keeps your pass handy. The people wearing them are the ones grafting — including the staff holding up health and care.
After 40 years, a national inquiry into Orgreave is finally happening. A huge moment for mining communities and everyone who’s fought so hard for truth and justice. Solidarity with the Orgreave Truth and Justice Campaign—this really matters.
July 21, 2025 at 7:15 AM
After 40 years, a national inquiry into Orgreave is finally happening. A huge moment for mining communities and everyone who’s fought so hard for truth and justice. Solidarity with the Orgreave Truth and Justice Campaign—this really matters.
Reposted by Dom Trendall
Sunday Times:
“The education secretary is to unveil a £500 million plan to set up 1,000 "family hubs" by 2028 in an effort to support half a million of the most disadvantaged children.”
Who we are and what we are for 😍
“The education secretary is to unveil a £500 million plan to set up 1,000 "family hubs" by 2028 in an effort to support half a million of the most disadvantaged children.”
Who we are and what we are for 😍
July 5, 2025 at 10:13 PM
Sunday Times:
“The education secretary is to unveil a £500 million plan to set up 1,000 "family hubs" by 2028 in an effort to support half a million of the most disadvantaged children.”
Who we are and what we are for 😍
“The education secretary is to unveil a £500 million plan to set up 1,000 "family hubs" by 2028 in an effort to support half a million of the most disadvantaged children.”
Who we are and what we are for 😍
I can’t stress this enough: many of the big hitters came out against the assisted dying bill before it was even published. It’s become fashionable to say “support the principle, oppose the bill” — but the timeline shows most were gearing up to oppose any bill.
June 21, 2025 at 9:46 AM
I can’t stress this enough: many of the big hitters came out against the assisted dying bill before it was even published. It’s become fashionable to say “support the principle, oppose the bill” — but the timeline shows most were gearing up to oppose any bill.
The government won in court last week, defeating a bizarre legal challenge from the private school lobby claiming that losing tax breaks breached their human rights. Imagine the fanfare if it had gone the other way—this was a big win for fairness that deserves more attention.
June 16, 2025 at 6:44 AM
The government won in court last week, defeating a bizarre legal challenge from the private school lobby claiming that losing tax breaks breached their human rights. Imagine the fanfare if it had gone the other way—this was a big win for fairness that deserves more attention.
One of the best things about the labour movement is how it brings together people of all ages—people who’d otherwise pass each other in the street, united by a shared passion for the details of a trade dispute or winning a council ward off a nimby independent. It’s enriching for everyone.
June 4, 2025 at 5:21 PM
One of the best things about the labour movement is how it brings together people of all ages—people who’d otherwise pass each other in the street, united by a shared passion for the details of a trade dispute or winning a council ward off a nimby independent. It’s enriching for everyone.
The Lib Dems and Rupert Lowe both think firing off loads of questions means you’re doing a great job.
We can all agree they’re about as relevant as each other.
We can all agree they’re about as relevant as each other.
May 30, 2025 at 9:49 AM
The Lib Dems and Rupert Lowe both think firing off loads of questions means you’re doing a great job.
We can all agree they’re about as relevant as each other.
We can all agree they’re about as relevant as each other.
Responding to the US trade deal, Andrew Griffith calls it ‘a Diet Coke deal, not the real thing’.
Can I respectfully submit that Diet Coke is class — and, in all ways, better than 'the real thing.'
Can I respectfully submit that Diet Coke is class — and, in all ways, better than 'the real thing.'
May 8, 2025 at 5:19 PM
Responding to the US trade deal, Andrew Griffith calls it ‘a Diet Coke deal, not the real thing’.
Can I respectfully submit that Diet Coke is class — and, in all ways, better than 'the real thing.'
Can I respectfully submit that Diet Coke is class — and, in all ways, better than 'the real thing.'
“Working people” is a phrase with power—it speaks to those who keep the country going but rarely get the rewards. Pretending it’s an attack on the ill or disabled isn’t just daft, it’s dishonest. Recognising work doesn’t mean denying anyone’s dignity.
May 4, 2025 at 7:58 AM
“Working people” is a phrase with power—it speaks to those who keep the country going but rarely get the rewards. Pretending it’s an attack on the ill or disabled isn’t just daft, it’s dishonest. Recognising work doesn’t mean denying anyone’s dignity.
An FOI reveals DHSC received the NHS Pay Review Body report on 11 April. It’s now May. The pay rise was due on 1 April.
When will the government lay the report before Parliament—and give NHS staff the pay award they’ve earned and deserve?
@rcn.org.uk
When will the government lay the report before Parliament—and give NHS staff the pay award they’ve earned and deserve?
@rcn.org.uk
May 2, 2025 at 11:03 AM
An FOI reveals DHSC received the NHS Pay Review Body report on 11 April. It’s now May. The pay rise was due on 1 April.
When will the government lay the report before Parliament—and give NHS staff the pay award they’ve earned and deserve?
@rcn.org.uk
When will the government lay the report before Parliament—and give NHS staff the pay award they’ve earned and deserve?
@rcn.org.uk
The Greens claimed they were on course in the West of England—even where Labour faced real challenges, they couldn’t come second. That says it all. It’s Labour or Reform. I’m for Labour—not self-indulgent Greenery.
May 2, 2025 at 6:46 AM
The Greens claimed they were on course in the West of England—even where Labour faced real challenges, they couldn’t come second. That says it all. It’s Labour or Reform. I’m for Labour—not self-indulgent Greenery.
The Supreme Court’s judgment last week was bad enough—and the language used was shocking. But the wilful misinterpretation of what it actually said is, in many ways, worse. The Gender Recognition Act 2004 remains an Act of Parliament. Its provisions still stand.
April 24, 2025 at 9:18 AM
The Supreme Court’s judgment last week was bad enough—and the language used was shocking. But the wilful misinterpretation of what it actually said is, in many ways, worse. The Gender Recognition Act 2004 remains an Act of Parliament. Its provisions still stand.
A health minister attacking the Tories for once acknowledging that trans women are women is a low moment. Trans women are women—just as surely as the sky is blue.
April 17, 2025 at 3:36 PM
A health minister attacking the Tories for once acknowledging that trans women are women is a low moment. Trans women are women—just as surely as the sky is blue.
Reposted by Dom Trendall
The author of "Tangled Up In Blue: Blue Labour and the Struggle for Labour's Soul" is running to be Labour's candidate for mayor of Croydon. I've written about what her career can tell us about the tendency:
labourlist.org/2025/04/rowe...
labourlist.org/2025/04/rowe...
'Still tangled? Rowenna Davis and the evolution of Blue Labour' - LabourList
Morgan Jones reviews Tangled up in Blue, the 2011 history of Blue Labour written by Croydon selection candidate Rowenna Davis.
labourlist.org
April 14, 2025 at 4:10 PM
The author of "Tangled Up In Blue: Blue Labour and the Struggle for Labour's Soul" is running to be Labour's candidate for mayor of Croydon. I've written about what her career can tell us about the tendency:
labourlist.org/2025/04/rowe...
labourlist.org/2025/04/rowe...
Poll shows over half of Green voters back a merger with the Lib Dems. The idea that a party with a quarter of its MPs from North Herefordshire is the authentic voice of anything but middle-class liberalism is laughable.
April 13, 2025 at 8:22 AM
Poll shows over half of Green voters back a merger with the Lib Dems. The idea that a party with a quarter of its MPs from North Herefordshire is the authentic voice of anything but middle-class liberalism is laughable.
Serving as a Member of Parliament is a privilege. It is incompatible with membership of the Liberal Democrats.
April 12, 2025 at 8:59 AM
Serving as a Member of Parliament is a privilege. It is incompatible with membership of the Liberal Democrats.
I’m not one for constant BBC-bashing, but headlines like “Union bosses held up Birmingham bin deal” do a lot of heavy lifting. Giving one side of the dispute centre stage, inviting readers to start from their version of events — before you’ve even clicked the link.
April 10, 2025 at 7:11 PM
I’m not one for constant BBC-bashing, but headlines like “Union bosses held up Birmingham bin deal” do a lot of heavy lifting. Giving one side of the dispute centre stage, inviting readers to start from their version of events — before you’ve even clicked the link.
Society needs an alternative to the phrase “pick your brains.” It conveys a useful meaning, so I often reach for it—but it does rather conjure the image of a crow picking at a decaying carcass.
April 2, 2025 at 11:16 AM
Society needs an alternative to the phrase “pick your brains.” It conveys a useful meaning, so I often reach for it—but it does rather conjure the image of a crow picking at a decaying carcass.
There’s no point trying to placate avowed transphobes—their appetite for bigotry is insatiable. Even the mildest recognition of basic dignity is met with incredulous derision.
March 20, 2025 at 9:21 AM
There’s no point trying to placate avowed transphobes—their appetite for bigotry is insatiable. Even the mildest recognition of basic dignity is met with incredulous derision.
Amanda Spielman has come out attacking the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill, claiming it ‘puts unions and union members ahead of children.’
Her contempt for hardworking teachers and their unions was always clear—now she’s saying it outright. No wonder the feeling is mutual.
Her contempt for hardworking teachers and their unions was always clear—now she’s saying it outright. No wonder the feeling is mutual.
March 17, 2025 at 9:02 PM
Amanda Spielman has come out attacking the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill, claiming it ‘puts unions and union members ahead of children.’
Her contempt for hardworking teachers and their unions was always clear—now she’s saying it outright. No wonder the feeling is mutual.
Her contempt for hardworking teachers and their unions was always clear—now she’s saying it outright. No wonder the feeling is mutual.
Rolling back the Tory-Lib Dem NHS reorganisation is welcome—if you called it dastardly privatisation then, you ought to agree now. But there must be a proper workforce plan. NHSE staff deserve better than chaotic, top-down reform.
I hope the government works with TUs to get this right.
I hope the government works with TUs to get this right.
March 13, 2025 at 12:05 PM
Rolling back the Tory-Lib Dem NHS reorganisation is welcome—if you called it dastardly privatisation then, you ought to agree now. But there must be a proper workforce plan. NHSE staff deserve better than chaotic, top-down reform.
I hope the government works with TUs to get this right.
I hope the government works with TUs to get this right.
How many Lib Dems backed the Employment Rights Bill at third reading last night?
None.
Sanctimony and bombast over action—Yellow Tories who refused to support bereavement leave and maternity rights.
votes.parliament.uk/votes/common...
None.
Sanctimony and bombast over action—Yellow Tories who refused to support bereavement leave and maternity rights.
votes.parliament.uk/votes/common...
Employment Rights Bill: Third Reading - Commons' votes in Parliament - UK Parliament
Employment Rights Bill: Third Reading
votes.parliament.uk
March 13, 2025 at 8:24 AM
How many Lib Dems backed the Employment Rights Bill at third reading last night?
None.
Sanctimony and bombast over action—Yellow Tories who refused to support bereavement leave and maternity rights.
votes.parliament.uk/votes/common...
None.
Sanctimony and bombast over action—Yellow Tories who refused to support bereavement leave and maternity rights.
votes.parliament.uk/votes/common...
The govt has tabled key amendments (published in full today today) to the Employment Rights Bill, and after months of lobbying, trade unions have won major improvements. Here’s a breakdown of the biggest changes 🧵👇
March 5, 2025 at 10:53 AM
The govt has tabled key amendments (published in full today today) to the Employment Rights Bill, and after months of lobbying, trade unions have won major improvements. Here’s a breakdown of the biggest changes 🧵👇
Low-paid workers will finally get 80% of their wages in statutory sick pay from day one. It should be 95% of 100%, but let’s reflect on how far we’ve come—under the Tories, those earning under £123 a week got nothing.
The fact we’re now arguing over how much, not whether, is real progress.
The fact we’re now arguing over how much, not whether, is real progress.
March 3, 2025 at 12:02 PM
Low-paid workers will finally get 80% of their wages in statutory sick pay from day one. It should be 95% of 100%, but let’s reflect on how far we’ve come—under the Tories, those earning under £123 a week got nothing.
The fact we’re now arguing over how much, not whether, is real progress.
The fact we’re now arguing over how much, not whether, is real progress.