The Staggers

The New Statesman’s rolling politics blog

Boris and Dave bash transport unions to distract from the banks

A convenient distraction from the coalition’s failure on bankers’ bonuses.

By George Eaton Published 12 January 2011 11:45

Boris Johnson and David Cameron have a joint article in this morning's Sun condemning the rail unions for threatening to strike on the day of the royal weddding.

They write: "[Y]ou can try to drag this country back to the 1970s, to a time when militants held our country to ransom, but you will not succeed."

In reality, currently no union is planning to strike on that day. The Aslef general secretary, Keith Norman, says the question of possible industrial action on the day has not "even been discussed" by the union's executive. But, in the wake of the coalition's capitulation to the banks, Cameron and Johnson have spied a convenient opportunity to redirect public anger towards the unions.

As the Telegraph's Benedict Brogan noted yesterday, the Conservatives fear that the latest round of bonuses will further dent their popularity:

Tory high command wories that if it goes soft on the banks the numbers will get worse. Those who have pressed the coalition and specifically the Chancellor to speak out against banker-bashing are told each time that the coalition has to keep public attitudes in mind. Mr Osborne believes voters loathe the banks and blame them for the financial crisis.

On Twitter, Boris has called for the public to "bombard" Aslef's website with complaints, a useful distraction from his complete failure to secure his long-promised "no-strike deal". As I noted on Monday, there have been more Tube strikes during two and a half years of Boris than eight years of Ken Livingstone. In his 2008 manifesto, the Mayor of London promised:

I will look to reduce the disruption caused by strikes on the Tube by negotiating a no-strike deal, in good faith, with the Tube unions. In return for agreeing not to strike, the unions will get the security provided by having the pay negotiations conducted by an independent arbiter, whose final decision will be binding on both parties. I believe this is the fairest way to ensure that London is not brought to a standstill every time there is a pay negotiation, and to ensure union members get a secure deal.

But when asked in September if he had sat down with union leaders and had his "promised beer" with Bob Crow, the mayor replied: "I have not spoken directly with union leaders but with plenty of people in government." Inviting the public to "bombard" a website with complaints may be an example of the "big society" in action, but isn't it time for the mayor to adopt a more mature approach?

Special Offer: Get 12 issues of New Statesman magazine for just £12

Tags: David Cameron Boris Johnson

More from George Eaton

12 comments

Wed, 2011-01-12 14:42 — ang (not verified)

@mulligrubs,
Thanks for the advice, but I am a veteran re old Reggie, I just take every opportunity to have a go about the ghastly royals.

Thu, 2011-01-13 19:58 — Mulligrubs (not verified)

Thinkov - " . . . charge Fah fah though"

Yes indeedy - and better still make the bounder travel second class.

Wed, 2011-01-12 21:05 — andyg (not verified)

And so you jolly well should ang. Mr O has cut the benefits of the unemployed and will make them work for what they do receive from the system. Maybe our Boris is learning form the chaps of anonymous. Spiffing, absolutely spiffing. I hope Mr Crow and the gang will come up with a nice present on the big day.
Toodle pip chaps.

Wed, 2011-01-12 21:14 — Reginald-Fah-fah

Good evening to Ang, mulligrubs and all my fellow bloggers!

Folks, the royal wedding will be fantastic like the 1966 World Cup!

Time to party and join the most funky and marvelloius politcal party in the world, and become a Tory! That makes sense!!!!

Back Boris and raise a glass to the greatest Prime Minister Britain has seen, David Cameron!!!!

Can't wait to have a sociable outing on the 'Boris Bus', pop a bottle of bubbly over the fine machine!!!! Marvellous!!!!

Wed, 2011-01-12 21:45 — thinkov

Run the trains/buses/planes don't collect fares

= public on your side

charge fah fah though

Wed, 2011-01-12 22:23 — Whitemellon (not verified)

Here in the US I have watched the unions being beat down since Reagon began his war against the unions middle class workers back in the 80's. Breaking the unions wasn't enough. The corporations realized they could be far more profitable by having their products built in countries with people willing to work for wages no one in the west could survive on. Real wages compared to the rise the in the cost for living have remained flat here for thirty years. Now we are a service economy with the banking industry leading the way. I might add it is a banking industry immuned to justice. We all know the crimes committed that led to the recent forced taxpayer bailout yet no indictments, just bad business as usual.

Wed, 2011-01-12 12:08 — swatantra nandanwar

I've got a horrible feeling that the Unions are being 'set up' for an almighty fall, just like the miners were by Thatcher. The best brains in the Unions are going to have to work out how to negotiate their way through the minefield and not cuase the public any grieve.

Wed, 2011-01-12 12:14 — ang (not verified)

On the Andrew Marr show (god he's so lightweight), Cameron said his govt would not be pushed around by the unions, but what he fails to understand, is that 'he' is pushing ordinary people around and the unions will stick up for them everytime.
This vein, arrogant man must be deluded, or pretty dim, if he thinks that the British public have any sympathy for the royals, we don't care about them and if there are strikes on 'the day', it will serve to highlight the difference between, the likes of Cameron and the royals and the ordinary folk.

Wed, 2011-01-12 12:38 — Reginald-Fah-fah

Marvellous article by the Prime Minister David Cameron and Boris Johnson!!!

It shows that our 'TORY top [Chaps]' have a strong backbones! keep up the fantastic work chaps!

Great news about the pubs having later licences on the public bank holiday/day of the Royal wedding!

Wed, 2011-01-12 23:52 — Mulligrubs (not verified)

Reginald Fah Fah.
Now look here Reggie old thing - a joke's a bally joke but Mulligrubs is spelt with a capital M and don't you jolly well forget it. I hope you will admonish the butler for this typographical error thingy. Entre nous - I know the chairman of the Drone's club personally - so just watch the seat of your shiny trousers old bean - or they'll be flying up Pall Mall with you, blackballed and clubless, inside them. Regards to Bertie W. Toodle Pip

Wed, 2011-01-12 13:03 — ang (not verified)

Yes, isn't it spiffing that the wonderful Mr. Cameron, is allowing his, no sorry, royal, subjects more time to open a few more bottles of the finest champagne and celebrate another addition, and subsequently even more additions, to a rich family that basically scrounges off the taxpayer. There will be riots, especially after all that champagne.

Wed, 2011-01-12 13:12 — Mulligrubs (not verified)

Ang. Beware of taking Reg. fah fah seriously - methinks he doth enthuse too much. Furthermore I have news for him: you cannot embarrass a Tory however much your cringe-ridden grovelling is turbo-charged. I don't think you're being subtle enough Reg to be credible. Time to apply your big foot and mouth to the soft pedal - you (should) know it makes sense. You don't need a hammer to creep round a nut.