During the period that Glenys Kinnock, Lady Kinnock of Holyhead was an MEP, from 1994 to 2009, I was the director of the education and international department of the Transport and General Workers’ Union (now Unite).
Dealing with Tony Blair’s government was not easy for the trade unions: most MPs and ministers were very careful and even reluctant. Even those who supported us often had to say: “We’ll do it, but shhh – don’t let you-know-who find out.”
Hilary Benn, in various posts at the Department for International Development, was much more creative. When we went to Brussels with his support, Glenys was full of ideas, one of the few who saw the link between international development and trade union solidarity. She was dynamic, open and a credit to the Labour movement.
