Represent the Views of Musicians in Your Region: Apply to Attend ...

MU Delegate Conference is an important part of our Union’s democracy. It is held every two years to help to form MU policy, and is your chance to support the Union in creating a fairer, more equitable industry and trade union for all musicians.

The next one will be held at the Hilton Hotel, City Centre Liverpool, on Tuesday 22 July and Wednesday 23 July 2025.

What does being a delegate involve?

Each of the MU’s six regions has an elected Regional Committee that talks about issues affecting them, such as local venues under threat. They send motions about these issues to be discussed at Conference. Delegates at Conference then discuss the motion, and vote to support it or not to support it.

Motions that pass are implemented. So if it’s a policy issue, it becomes MU policy. If it is something practical, we do it.

Find out how you can submit a motion to Conference 2025.

Ahead of Conference, the MU also produces a concise digital report that details all our work over the past two years. As a delegate, you’ll have the opportunity to ask questions on the report during the conference and explore our work in more detail.

Questions from delegates on the various parts of the report will be taken on a section-by-section basis. The report, along with all other Conference documents (such as proposed rule changes), will be made available to attendees in digital format prior to the event.

What to expect as a delegate

For members who are new to Conference, there will be a dedicated space to make sure you know how everything works and that you’re ready to go on the first day.

There will also be dedicated spaces for our Disabled, Global Majority, LGBT+, Young and Women members to connect with their communities.

An informal drinks reception will take place on the Monday evening, and this will be a chance for you to meet other members ahead of the first day of Conference. A dinner will then take place on the evening of Tuesday 22 July, followed by live music and a brilliant DJ.

You can find out more about accessibility requirements, travel, accommodation, and expenses, by visiting our Delegate Conference 2025 information page.

Apply to attend

The call for nominations for delegates to represent their region at Delegate Conference 2025 is now underway.

Any member who has been in membership for one year at the time of nomination may stand for election as a delegate for their region. However, retired (free) members are not eligible to attend Conference as delegates, nor to nominate other members.

Each region is entitled to one delegate for every 500 members in the Union on 31 December 2024. A ballot will be held should the number of nominations exceed the region’s entitlement.

You can apply by sending a nomination form to your Regional Organiser, along with support of another member in your region, by 27 April 2025.

Click below to visit our guidance page, which provides full details on standing as a Conference delegate and how to apply. 

Naomi Pohl, MU General Secretary, explains why Conference is so crucial to the Union’s democracy

“Our Delegate Conference, which is held every other year, is crucial to the MU’s democracy and for our representation of musicians and their concerns. It provides an opportunity for members to directly influence the Union’s policy and to drive change.

“Conference also provides an excellent opportunity to find out about the work we have been doing to represent musicians’ interests over the past two years and meet fellow members.

"Past conferences have seen members set the agenda on issues such as music streaming, better representation of marginalised musicians, lobbying for arts funding, the climate emergency, protecting BBC Introducing, advocating for instrumental music tuition, and informing members about photo ID for voting purposes.

"The last Delegate Conference in Birmingham was very successful, with 140 attendees, 18 motions carried and 20 changes to the MU’s rules approved.

“Conference is your chance to support the MU in creating a fairer, more equitable industry and trade union for all musicians. We are here for all members, and we want to make sure that we represent you effectively wherever you are based, however you make music and whatever your background. As always, we are behind every musician".

Alex Gascoine, Chair of the MU's Executive Committee, invites members to join Conference and socialise with like-minded musicians

“The MU’s biennial Conference is the perfect opportunity to get more involved with the MU.

"At Conference we discuss all the work our staff and members have undertaken in the previous two years. We make Rule changes to help the MU function more efficiently; we debate and vote on motions that come from our committees in the nations and regions; and we report on the important conversations and negotiations that have taken place with our members’ employers and politicians.

"Following on from our incredibly successful conference in Birmingham in 2023; as Chair of the MU’s Executive Committee, it gives me great pleasure to invite you to join us as a delegate or visitor in Liverpool in 2025.

"Come and hear more about the great work the MU does, how it supports members and how our Union makes a positive difference to our working lives. Spend time working and socialising with like-minded musicians who are as passionate as you are, helping to make our industry more valued, and our Union stronger".