THE Tolpuddle Martyrs demonstrated that even a small group of individuals can spark national change when they stand together. Their unity in the face of injustice inspired a mass movement that led to their release and long-term reforms.  

In the early 1830s, rural workers in England were suffering from severe wage cuts and poor conditions. In Tolpuddle, wages had dropped to just six shillings a week, barely enough to survive.  

Learning from the Tolpuddle Martyrs offers valuable insights into the power of solidarity, the importance of legal protections for workers, and the enduring impact of grassroots activism.  

Fast forward to 2025, and look at what we are facing after one year of a Labour government coming to power. Labour stood on a manifesto of change and better working conditions through an Employment Rights Bill that I am sure will be debated during this year’s Tolpuddle festival. These changes to the lives of working people are a good foundation to start, but it doesn’t go far enough to protect workers. We must not settle for crumbs from the table; what we need is a large slice of the cake to ensure that working people have security at work.  

It isn’t just about security and working conditions that we should be striving for, but ensuring that the most vulnerable in society are protected as well.  


I thought, like many in the trade union movement, that austerity would be a thing of the past. I also thought that an incoming Labour government would give better protections to the poor, the vulnerable and disabled people. I never for one moment believed it would be a Labour government attacking the welfare state, winter fuel allowance and endorsing a two-child benefit cap and then withdrawing the whip from various Labour MPs for refusing to bend the knee and sticking up for the most vulnerable in society. That is truly shameful and not in keeping with Labour values.  

If working people in Great Britain want a better, more equal society, then I’m afraid looking to far-right parties is simply not the answer. If parties like Reform are the answer, then I’m not sure what the question was.  

Reform feeds a narrative believing there are simple solutions to difficult issues and plays on people’s fears that blame immigrants coming to Britain for the waiting lists to see dentists, doctors and getting seen on the NHS or the fact that there is no decent affordable housing. They blame immigrants for the lack of school places, decent jobs and proper wages. The response by this government so far is not to dismantle those arguments but to drift to the right and try to outdo far-right policies.  

My grandfather once said that working people were their own worst enemies, and instead of blaming governments and bad bosses, they blamed each other and looked for a scapegoat in society.  

The only way that we will build on the successes of the Tolpuddle Martyrs and other struggles throughout history is by learning from our mistakes and focusing on how we can organise to win and leave a better society for the future.  

Do not believe for one minute when government officials tell you there is no money. In the words of Tony Benn, they can always find money for war. If they can find money for war, then they have enough money for decent conditions and pay at work and decent jobs, decent housing, and to protect the most vulnerable in society.  

The trade union movement must step up to these challenges, irrespective of who is in government and demand a better society for all. It is our duty to make the future better for our children, grandchildren, and those who do not have a voice; otherwise the Tolpuddle Martyrs struggled for nothing.  

Steve Gillan is general secretary of the Prison Officers Association.