The TUC comedy congress
This week in Brighton the British political conference season has kicked off as always with the Trade Union Congress. The unions have always been fortunate to be able to gain extra coverage in their timing. While business groups like the Confederation of Business and industry, the Confederation of small businesses and the Institue of Directors, groups who represent the businesses of our nation and who by right should be entitled to equal coverage, don't get it because of the random periods when they hold their conferences. The TUC holds it's congress either one or two weeks before the political parties begin their conferences, so it fits nicely into the schedule.
The trade unions created the Labour Party in the UK and have still give the party money today. However this week they seem to be at war with the Labour Governemnt, seemingly blinkered to the fact that they are helping the Conservative opposition whom should by rights be the real enemy, sweep into power.
The Unions think they are the answer to Labour's problems. They propose huge public sector pay rises that will fuel inflationary pressure, and strikes to ruin the lives of ordinary people if they don't get them, a windfall tax on energy companies that will destroy much needed investment plans that are being put in place to try and secure the long term security of our energy supply. And lets not forget the unions old favourite, tax the rich more and have talented, successful people Britain needs in these tough economic times to other countries.
For poor old Prime Minster Gordon Brown, with friends like these, who needs any enemies. For a PM already looking into the abyss of what seems certain defeat at the election, the rise of the Socialist left among the unions is all he needs. He also must feel a sense of dispair, as to be fair to the prime Minister, then unions are being rather ungreatful.
For Brown has been part of the Government fort he last 11 years which has implemented the minum wage the unions demanded, backed the European social chapter they demanded, has increased public sector pay over the cycle at a higher rate than in the private sector and laid the foundations for an explosion of public sector jobs, a hugely important source of union memebership. He has also implemented maternity and paternity leave changes the unions campaigned for, as well as the winter fuel allowance for the elderly and enacting into law rights for a maximum 48 hour working week.
It is fair to say the unions would not have got any of these things from the Conservatives, and agree or not with the measures mentioned, you would have thought a bit of thanks and humility from the unions would be appropriate. Apparently not. Derek Simpson, The General Secrety of the comically called 'Unite' union has slated foreign secretary as 'Smug' and 'arrogant,' and by the account given here it seems they were some of the nicer things he had to say. Then there is the plan to vote, a vote expected to be passed, planning strikes over pay if the Government does not give them what they want. They seem happy to use threats of language echoing the 'Winter of Discontent.' A period of mass strikes in the 1970's which ushered in Margaret Thatcher, and 18 years of Conservative rule.
Maybe it will happen again, For the Conservative cause, the phrase 'useful idiots' springs to mind. The unions have so much to be greatful to the Prime Minister for, some would argue much to the deteriment of the country, and yet they are intent on destroying that very same Government. The irony is delicious, the logic nothing short of comical, For the media it's a magnificent feeding frenzy, espcially for those ready to back Cameron at the next election and want to see Labour out, as the unions march on directionless, like lemmings over a cliffe.
