A conversation with Lord Herbert of South Downs on what sparked the global movement that is now the Global TB Caucus

Lord Herbert, Co-Founder and Chair of the Global TB Caucus, reflects on what sparked his commitment to TB advocacy, the significance of political leadership, and why global collaboration remains essential to ending this epidemic.

What inspired the formation of the Global TB Caucus?

In 2005, shortly after being elected as a Member of Parliament, Lord Herbert joined a parliamentary delegation to Kenya, organised by RESULTS UK and the Gates Foundation. While he had a prior interest in HIV, this trip opened his eyes to the scale of tuberculosis, a disease he, like many others in the UK, believed to be confined to history.

“What I saw affected me profoundly,” he said. “Young men were dying at an average age younger than mine at the time. It became clear that TB was not only a present-day issue but also one that urgently needed global attention.”

The visit led to the creation of an All-Party Parliamentary Group on TB in the UK, filling a gap that had previously been overlooked. From that experience, and through years of engagement with global counterparts, the idea for a broader, global alliance took root, setting stage for the Global TB Caucus.

Why does TB matter in the UK's political agenda today?

While the UK does not face a high burden of TB, Lord Herbert makes a compelling case for continued political engagement.

“TB anywhere is TB everywhere,” he said. “It’s a deadly, airborne infectious disease, and rising drug resistance is a threat we can’t afford to ignore.”

Beyond that, the UK has longstanding historical and future ties with many countries that are grappling with major TB epidemics - it should matter for the government to be actively engaged in tackling the disease.

A moment that made a difference

One key moment of impact came in 2015 when the UK’s All-Party Parliamentary Group on Global TB conducted an inquiry into global health research and development. The findings led to a pledge in the Conservative Party’s election manifesto and ultimately to the creation of the Ross Fund, a multi-year, billion-pound commitment to global health R&D.

“That moment showed how parliamentary advocacy can turn into real-world change,” said Lord Herbert.

He also points to successes like England’s domestic TB strategy and behind-the-scenes work during the UN High-Level Meetings on TB as testaments to what can be achieved through sustained advocacy.

A message to fellow parliamentarians

"Get involved because this issue matters and you can make a difference!” he urged. “The Global TB Caucus has passed legislation, mobilised domestic resources, changed policies, and secured additional international financing for TB programming and for R&D.”

As the world approaches the 2030 SDG deadline to end TB, Lord Herbert’s story reminds us: political leadership is not only valuable - it’s indispensable.