Following the Trade Union Rights and Freedom Bill failing to be allotted time for discussion at its first reading on 2nd March (see Hansard), John McDonnell MP tabled the Bill for a second reading on 19th October 2007.

To support the 2nd reading, the United Campaign organised a demonstration and rally for 18th October at Westminster and asked supporters to join the postcard campaign asking MPs to remain in the House of Commons on 19th October to show their support for the Bill.

The Rally attracted an excellent platform of speakers including:

• John Hendy QC - IER Chairman
• John McDonnell MP
• Phil McGarry - STUC President
• Bob Crow - RMT General Secretary
• Tony Woodley - Unite T&G General Secretary
• Paul Kenny - GMB General Secretary
• Keith Ewing - IER President
• Mark Serwotka - PCS General Secretary
• Brain Caton - POA General Secretary
• Katy Clark MP
• Jeremy Dear - NUJ General Secretary
• Jon Cruddas MP
• Gail Cartmail - UNITE AMICUS Assisitant General Secretary
• Matt Wrack - FBU General Secretary
• Patrick Roach - NASUWT Assistant General Secretary
• Christine Blower - NUT Deputy General Secretary
• Manuel Cortes - TSSA Deputy General Secretary

According to the police, 1,000 people tried to access the Rally. In the end the Rally spread across two meeting rooms with speakers addressing both platforms to ensure all those who attended could participate. No doubt three rooms could have been filled. However, due to security restrictions and the long wait many left before gaining access to parliament. Both the Morning Star and the Guardian carried an article by John Hendy QC and Professor Keith Ewing on why the Bill should be supported.

Despite a number of MPs remaining in the House of Commons on 19th October, the Bill was once again denied parliamentary time. See Hansard

In the Queen's speech announced on 6th November, the legislative programme for the forthcoming parliamentary session was reconfirmed. The Institute will be paying particular attention to the details and progress of the Employment Bill, the main legislative proposal covering employment rights and trade union freedoms. Unfortunately, in its original form, the Bill includes none of the proposals contained in the Trade Union Rights and Freedoms Bill.

However, as many speakers at the event made clear, calls for a Trade Union Freedom Bill will remain on the trade union agenda.