Heroes and Villains

As we prepare for a day of national shame when tens of thousands of public sector workers see fit to go on strike, it is timely to reflect on their decided course of action.

They will abstain from work and hence pay on the urging and advice of their Union overlords. Just for clarity, the latter will not forsake their pay - which is considerable. The top heads of the unions in our country don't earn less than six figure sums - good "work" if you can get it. In addition, it is these very organisations who played the role of kingmaker in the recent appointment of the largely unknown Milliband as Labour leader. So it is fair to say that they wield no little influence in the hearts and minds of the electorate.

You will hear no protestation or condemnation from the Labour party with regard to the strike action. Interestingly though, neither will you hear unconditional support. Easier to sit on the fence and say nothing. It puts me in mind of that great quotation, "Sometimes it's better to just sit there and look stupid rather than open your mouth and remove all doubt".

Let us consider the past of the current Labour leader. He served his apprenticeship at the Treasury under the tutelage of the profligate Gordon Brown who camouflaged himself rather poorly behind words such as prudence. Let us be crystal clear about Brown. As the Chancellor of New Labour he took spending money to hitherto unimagined levels of waste, decadence and irresponsibility. Prudent he was not.

The aptly named incumbent shadow Chancellor is no less profligate in his views. The difference between him and his leader is that he does not attempt to conceal his enthusiasm for spending. With Milliband we don't know because he does not dare tell us.

Put simply, this country is in debt up to it's ears as a direct legacy of eleven years of Viv Nicholson in charge. Viv was the lady who famously vowed to spend, spend, spend having scooped the football pools in the 1960s. And she did. Spectactularly. She ended up bankrupt. The difference is that Brown and Blair have now been put out to grass with generous pensions and pay offs.

It amazes me that public sector workers choose to strike when all around them are losing their jobs. I'm aware of their grumbles and whinges regarding future pensions. However, their rose tinted Utopian view of things became a thing of the past a long time ago. You don't need to be a mathematician. All you need is realism and they seem staunchly immune.

Last week I heard a prominent journalist bemoaning the latest initiative of the coalition to promote youth employment by providing incentives to employers. Where was the guarantee of a job at the end of the contract? Job guarantee? What is this new concept. I thought we were now in 2011. Presumably, she is stuck in the Union wrecked misery of the 1970s.

There is of course one good thing which will come out of the strike. That is one day less of pay for the country to find for these people. I wonder if they might acquire a taste for it? There is always hope because I believe that youth unemployment is at an all time high so there shouldn't be too much trouble replacing them.