Shadow Attorney General Emily Thornberry speaks at FDA Lawyers’ Network event
This week, the FDA’s Lawyers’ Network was pleased to welcome Shadow Attorney General Emily Thornberry for a lunchtime lecture with members.
As part of our cross-party engagement in an election year, the FDA is keen to hear from all major parties about their vision and priorities if elected.
When asked by FDA General Secretary Dave Penman, what the biggest challenge a new government would pose for the civil service, Thornberry told attendees that “a change of ambition” from ministers tackling big scale policy issues will be a challenge. However, she added, if given clear leadership and clear objectives, she believes the civil service is “up for it” and can deliver.
Thornberry was also asked a number of pressing questions by the FDA members present on topics such as CPS resourcing and caseloads, how the role of the Attorney General has been changed in the last decade, and how a Labour government would deal with courts delivering political unpopular rulings.
The FDA is looking to organise more events with stakeholders from across the political spectrum in the run-up to the General Election. This provides the opportunity for the union to advance our objectives for the civil service, and allows our members to raise their concerns with policy makers.
The FDA Lawyers’ Network represents the professional interests of legal trainees, solicitors and barristers in government – giving members the opportunity to network with colleagues across the civil service, discuss common workplace issues and influence union policies. To find out more or get involved, visit the webpage.
Related News
-
TUC Women’s Conference 2026
Delegation of FDA members attended TUC Women’s Conference in Bournemouth.
-
FDA’s annual NI conference takes place in Belfast
FDA members in Northern Ireland had the opportunity to hear directly from two current Finance Ministers; Minister of Finance in NI Executive, John O’Dowd MLA and Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Welsh Language, Mark Drakeford at the FDA NI Section’s annual conference.
-
FDA calls for pay parity on IfG panel discussing Fast Stream reform
FDA National Officer for the Fast Stream Robert Eagleton took part in the Institute for Government’s (IfG) panel event, ‘How can the Fast Stream deliver more for the civil service?’.
