Stuck in the Middle with CWU

As the dark spectre of another set of postal strikes looms large over the nation, it seems increasingly unlikely that a resolution will be soon announced. With both sides seemingly more concerned about posturing and public opinion, than resolution, a winter of discontent lurches ever closer to people and businesses that rely on the monopoly that the Royal Mail provides.

Amidst this maelstrom is a passive government, refusing to publicly denounce, support or offer any context for reconciliation to either party; with Lord Mandelson seemingly more intent to disrupt any immediate possible solution. It is unsurprising that the government is taking such a publicly quiet stance, since how can it possibly remain objective when it is constantly pursuing potential suitors to privatize the Royal Mail.

However, it was refreshing to hear Clive James' pragmatic appraisal of the dispute, in which he argues that British management and workers must find a 'happy' equilibrium in which both sides have equal involvement in a successful company. He states,

"A labour-management concord was the solution in Germany and Japan and one way or another it will be the solution here - it's just slow to come. Making the slowness slower, alas, is the still lingering twin effect - weaker now but not dead yet - of a conservatism that thinks the workers are out to wreck the nation and a radicalism that would like to see the nation wrecked, as if some kind of purity could ensue if people no longer had to work for a living."

With representatives of the workers on the board of a company, such as the Royal Mail, the workers would feel as if they had a stake in modernization and the management would have a more efficient and stable company.

It is when management and workers converse as equal partners, rather than historic rivals, that synergy can potentially produced.

A Tale of Two Inquests.

Last week Gordon Brown promised the Labour Party and the country a new candour in British governance, with the promises of openness and transparency, Mr Brown offered the keys of Parliament back to the electorate.

However, a week is apparently a long time in politics; with the lessons of last week having been quickly forgotten or ignored. Little more than ten days ago Gordon Brown promised the PLP a new start, in which he would consult, learn and listen with the Labour Party. Gone are the days, the PLP was told, of power politics, bullying and riding roughshod of MPs' concerns; this was a brave new world.

Instead, with the announcement of a private inquest into the war in Iraq and the two rail tragedies, the lessons seem little more than mythology. With Gordon Brown more secure in his position as Prime Minister, the veil of secrecy has been re-established and normal service has been resumed.

There is no requirement to have any of these inquests in private, in fact there is a requirement, no a necessity, that these are firmly under public scrutiny. All the private status allows is that the government can control the release of information and therefore control the news agenda to best suit there advantage. Without the luxury of owning or controlling the press, a private inquest is the next best thing; releasing or leaking information controls the news agenda.

It is almost as if Peter Mandelson and Alastair Campbell are in control of the Prime Minister's Press Office again...