Crowd pleasers – a ‘badger’ good time with the Skimmitys!
Packed house – Unite SW equalities debate
Meanwhile, Paul gave an overview of AI
advancements in food
manufacturing. He urged unions to make sure they’re ahead of the game and outlined the many new technology agreements Unite has secured in the sector to protect workers.
At a time when low-skilled work may be completely taken over by AI, where does that leave these workers? the audience asked. Speakers emphasised the importance of legislation, education, and union AI agreements.
The AI talk was followed by an equally riveting – and at times provocative – talk called Labour in the countryside: How’s that working out?
Steve returned to outline the betrayal of the Labour government over the Agricultural Wages Board (AWB), which, prior to the election, it had promised to reinstate in England.
The policy failed to make it into the party’s manifesto, and there is no indication yet that it will return.
Maggie Roberts also returned for this panel
discussion to highlight the struggles retired people in rural areas face. She slammed the Labour government for cutting Winter Fuel Allowance and disability benefits to applause from the audience.
Unite activist and countryside contractor Ivan Monckton gave a searing indictment of the Labour government’s time in power so far, saying it gave him “no satisfaction” to do so, having been a member of the party for over 50 years. He denounced their return to austerity, and their lack of action on the genocide in Gaza, among other failings.
Rural Labour MP Jayne Kirkham, who represents Truro and Falmouth, also contributed to the lively discussion as a panel speaker. She both addressed people’s concerns and defended Labour’s record in government.
11 uniteLANDWORKER Spring 2026
Retired and rural – Maggie Roberts gives it some welly
Jayne pledged to raise the issues so passionately discussed at the Landworker talk – both from the panel and from the audience in Q&A session afterwards She said it was vital that Labour listened to rural voices, because it’s the first time ever that the party has won so many seats in rural areas.
“Without [rural voters] we won’t get another majority again,” she said.
The day ended in a joyous cidery celebration with the return of the Skimmity Hitchers (left) – the West Country's premier cider band – following a two-year hiatus. Their raucous show drew a record-breaking crowd to Unite’s marquee. It was the perfect way to end another unforgettable day at the Tolpuddle Martyrs’ Festival.
All photos: Mark Thomas
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