Now -read the book!

Here is a link to my memoirs which, if you are a glutton for punishment, you can purchase online at https://www.kobo.com/gb/en/ebook/an-obscure-footnote-in-trade-union-history.
Men fight and lose the battle, and the thing that they fought for comes about in spite of their defeat, and when it comes turns out not to be what they meant, and other men have to fight for what they meant under another name. (William Morris - A Dream of John Ball)

Monday, May 11, 2009

Expenses junkies - we're closing in

I won't go as far as esteemed blogger Dave Osler (who admits to the occasional bit of what would now be called "benefit fraud" in his youth) but I do share his distaste for the constant theme of attacks upon "scroungers" in the advertising of the Department for Work and Pensions.

And I share his anger at the conduct of the Blairite Minister in charge - James Purnell has attacked claimants and public servants, all the while trousering plenty of our money in circumstances which can only be described as fascinating.

Somehow (as Dave Osler says) the word hypocrite doesn't quite do him justice.

If he had a shred of decency he would resign - but then if he had a shred of decency he wouldn't be a Blairite!

Mind you it's not just the faux Tories of New Labour who stand exposed - even the Daily Mail has to ask "How many Shadow Cabinet members does it take to change a light bulb?"

As Dave Osler implies in another post, the defence of democratic politics is far too important now to be left to the politicians.

It's time to organise and fight for what we believe in and what - as trade unionists - we know our members need.

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