‘This horrible episode is about more than just Peter Mandelson and Jeffrey Epstein., it is a stark reminder of why our political system needs fundamental change’, TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak writes
The Mandelson–Epstein scandal has rightly dominated the news this week.
Sensitive and confidential government information were shared with a convicted criminal at the head of a global paedophile ring. That represents an appalling abuse of power and my thoughts, as always, are with the victims.
These women have been badly let down. Their bravery in coming forward and exposing these heinous crimes must not be in vain – they need justice and they need it fast. But this horrible episode is about more than just Peter Mandelson and Jeffrey Epstein. It is a stark reminder of why our political system needs fundamental change. Once again, we see a culture in which wealth buys influence, protection and second chances – privileges never extended to ordinary people.
And this problem is not just confined to Britain. Across the world wealthy individuals are accumulating unprecedented political power and shaping decisions that affect millions of lives without any meaningful democratic consent. We see it clearly in the flood of donations and dark money pouring into our politics – often from overseas billionaires with little stake in our communities.
In December Reform received a record-breaking £9 million donation from Thailand-based crypto investor Christopher Harborne – the largest single donation ever made to a UK political party by a living person. One man. Nine million pounds. That is not democracy. That is cheque-book politics.
And it was not an isolated case. Mr Harborne also gave £1 million to Boris Johnson’s private office – part of a wider pattern of disgraced leaders being cushioned and sustained by rich backers while ordinary people pay the price for their failures. This power grab is everywhere. We see it in a media landscape largely owned by a handful of billionaires who shape the news to suit their own interests, narrow worldviews and business priorities.
And we see it online where giant social media platforms run by figures like Elon Musk have become engines of hate and division. These platforms promote misinformation, conspiracy theories and abuse because it drives clicks and profit.
All the while these companies dodge meaningful regulation and accountability by claiming to champion “free speech” while amplifying the loudest and most extreme voices. This concentration of wealth and power – offline and online – is toxic for our democracy. If we are serious about cleaning up politics we need full transparency, and we need to confront hypocrisy.
Trade unions, which represent shop workers, care staff and teachers, are relentlessly attacked by the right wing press for having political funds to lobby on behalf of their members. Yet billionaire donors and shadowy backers face barely any public scrutiny at all. That is not right.
Reducing corporate influence, breaking up media monopolies and properly regulating social media are not fringe ideas. They are essential steps if politics is to serve the many – not the connected few. Restoring faith in democracy means taking on entrenched power – not quietly cashing its cheques.
‘Time to end scourge of insecure work’
The Employment Rights Act passing was a landmark moment.
A ban on exploitative zero hours contracts. Stronger parental rights. Greater protection from harassment. These are just some of the new rights in the legislation.
This didn’t just happen. It took years of campaigning by unions and workers. But there is still more to do.
Millions will benefit from day one sick pay from April. That’s a great start, but we need to see all of these new rights and protections delivered in full – and fast.
And we have our sights set on the government’s wider Make Work Pay Agenda too. This promises a swathe of vital protections – like ensuring gig workers benefit from key rights – as well as much, much more.
We’ll continue pressing the government to deliver the change it promised. After years of precarity, it’s time to end the scourge of insecure work and put more money in people’s pockets.
‘Unions are winning for their members’
Tomorrow, we’ll kick-off Heart-Unions Week. A week to celebrate the workers who stand up for stronger pay and conditions in every corner of the country.
The national picture is challenging, with the cost of living crisis continuing to hammer working people. But unions are winning for their members. More money in people’s pockets. Better work conditions. Safer jobs. It’s clear as day: when unions do well, working people do well.
‘Mental health issues affect all workers – including footballers’
I love my family. Unions. And Everton. In that order.
So when Megan Sharpley posted about her partner – Blues winger Dwight McNeill – and the mental stress caused by the failure of his transfer to Palace, it really moved me.
She’s right. Mental health issues affect all workers – from Premier League footballers to carers – and should be taken seriously, no matter who are you are.