Political School - Politics and Parliament

About The Course

What can Parliament deliver for working people – and where does it fall short?

This one-day course takes a critical look at the role of parliamentary politics in advancing trade union goals. While legislative change can bring important gains, history shows that real progress for workers has rarely come from Parliament alone.

Together, we will explore the limits of parliamentary strategies and ask what this means for trade unions today. Through discussion, case studies, and shared experience, we will examine how political parties, institutions, and the state shape – and often constrain – the outcomes of campaigns led from Westminster and beyond.

Key themes will include:

• The relationship between trade unions and political parties
• How laws affecting workers are made – and who influences them
• The limits of relying on parliamentary routes for change
• Lessons from past campaigns: when Parliament delivered – and when it didn’t
• How industrial strength and workplace organising interact with political campaigning

This course is not about rejecting parliamentary engagement – but about understanding its place within a wider strategy. It will support participants to think critically about how we balance political lobbying with building power in workplaces and communities.

By the end of the day, participants will be better equipped to assess political opportunities, avoid common pitfalls, and develop strategies that combine parliamentary work with grassroots organising to win real change.