The Trades Union Congress (TUC) was established in 1868 and formed a committee to act on its decisions and direct activities between conferences.
Initially, this was an informal body, and the leading role in the movement was taken by the unelected "Junta", with limited backing from their Conference of Amalgamated Trades.
[1] Now occupying the leading position in the British trade union movement, the TUC decided to formalise its activities.
[2] Trade union membership grew rapidly during the life of the committee, and it was enlarged on several occasions, settling for a time at 12 members, then reaching a maximum of 16.
The Parliamentary Committee was firmly established at the 1872 Congress, with nine members, although William Allan was given an additional place for the first year.