Prospect National Conference 2026: united, growing and fighting for our members

Reflecting on Prospect’s National Conference in Brighton earlier this month, Prospect General Secretary Mike Clancy, writes that it showed a growing and determined union fighting for its members in uncertain times.

Prospect National Conference 2026

The best thing about Prospect National Conference is the opportunity to see the breadth and diversity of our union come together in one room. Engineers, archaeologists, civil servants, shipbuilders, film crew, coders, air traffic controllers and more, all brought together by their trade union values and all showing solidarity with each other. It really is a reminder of the strength and talent of the union we have been building together.

This year’s conference was an energising and inspiring exercise in democracy. Yes, there was the usual procedural fastidiousness— it was a trade union conference after all— but there was also vibrant debate, powerful testimony, and determined planning. It reflected a union that is united, growing, and determined to fight for our members in uncertain times.

In my opening contribution I spoke about the culture we have built in Prospect, and about how it underpins our recent success in growing the union and winning for members. I also warned of the dangers of backsliding into political factionalism and turning inwards, when we have such opportunities ahead of us in the coming years. You can read more about this here. But I want to use this space to highlight some of the key debates and decisions that defined our conference and that your union will be working on in the coming years.

Mike Clancy Speaking at National Conference 2026

There were some strong mandates that moved our policy at this conference and put the union in a more assertive stance towards the government on several issues. I welcome this move, and it is something that we will embrace. Our new position on Europe, for example, is clear in instructing us to pursue the closest possible relationship, and the debate attracted contributions from sectors of the union as diverse as aviation and the creative industries.

We now have a bold and progressive policy on standing up for international workers and resisting blunt migration targets that damage our industries. Conference also passed a motion supporting increased investment in defence and security, while resisting cuts to other areas of government spending. And there was an excellent Emergency Motion from our Health and Safety Executive branch which instructed the union to create a national campaign against deregulation. This is something I welcome, and I will be working over the summer with colleagues to start planning this campaign.

AI was obviously a big topic of debate given the increasing impact it is having on members across different industries. The four motions passed on AI all moved the union into a more front-foot posture, asking us to engage and communicate more with members on this issue. As a result, we will be stepping up our policy and campaigning work on AI, including using our increasing influence in government to represent our members’ interests in relation to AI. So expect to hear more from your union on this in the coming months.

Given the recent Supreme Court judgement and the subsequent EHRC guidance, Conference also extensively debated support for trans rights. It was always right that it was Conference that ultimately determined our stance on this important issue. Conference passed several motions in support of trans and non-binary workers, and clarified the union’s policy position in various ways. For example, Conference instructed the NEC to support reps to resist trans-exclusionary policies to the full extent of equality law. The NEC will be working though the instructions from these motions and taking the appropriate actions. The message from the debate was clear; this is a union that stands against discrimination and for equality at work, and we will continue to be guided by these principles to actively champion workplace inclusion for all.

There were a whole host of other topics covered on the conference floor and in the lively fringe meetings, from pension reform to climate change, parental rights to tackling the Far Right. And I was proud of the way our members engaged with the Business Secretary, welcoming his message on strengthening workers’ rights but holding him to account on topics like science funding.

Delegates at Prospect National Conference 2026 at Brighton

Conference is always a powerful reminder that this is a democratic, member-led organisation held together and strengthened by bonds of solidarity. Our members come from all corners of the economy, but are united by their belief in fairness at work and the importance of expert workers having a stronger voice in their workplaces.

As I see the union continue to grow, with new members joining and new branches being formed, I have never felt more privileged to be your General Secretary. I’m looking forward to getting started on delivering on the agenda you have set out.