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It already feels a very long time since we stood on our doorsteps,

applauding the nurses and care workers, the refuse collectors and other public sector workers,

who continued working often on very low wages whilst others were safely at home.

My guest on political thinking this week represents more than a million workers like them.

Christina McAnne is the General Secretary of Unison, the first woman to lead one of the big industrial trade unions.

She said recently she was worried that we'll forget how terrible it was back then.

Christina McAnne, welcome to political thinking.

Thank you, Nick. Why are you worried that we might forget?

Well, I know these people say it's weeks-long time in politics,

but I just feel whilst everyone and the government is really, you know,

applauding care workers, applauding healthcare workers,

applauding the people who work in the shops and the delivery drivers.

I think six months, nine months down the road when the economic impact of this pandemic begins to hit,

what I don't want to see is the government suddenly forgetting that,

and indeed the public forgetting what people actually did during this pandemic.

You mentioned applauding. Were you one of those you stood on your doors to Epory?

Were you one of those who actually bristled and said,

look, I know people mean well, but we don't really want your applause. We want a pay rise.

No, we did go out and applaud. And actually, what was quite nice about our live in South London?

And what was quite nice is neighbours came out and their children,

and a lot of the houses and my road are converted into flats.

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