Angela was delighted to join the festivities at the annual Tolpuddle Martyrs Festival in Dorchester.

She spoke on the main stage and in the fringe tent on Labour’s plans for a National Education Service and the prospect of a snap General Election.

Jeremy Corbyn stood alongside trade unionists and their families from across the country to mark the establishment of the first trade union in 1834.

Farm workers could not bear yet more cuts to their pay. Some fought back by smashing the new threshing machines but this brought harsh punishments. In 1834, farm workers in west Dorset formed a trade union.

Unions were lawful and growing fast but six leaders of the union were arrested and sentenced to seven years’ transportation for taking an oath of secrecy. A massive protest swept across the country.

Thousands of people marched through London and many more organised petitions and protest meetings to demand their freedom.