tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4411161795798360588.post8533696596989586546..comments2024-03-26T09:38:39.888+00:00Comments on Borthlas: How far they have fallenJohn Dixonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07447224248021209852noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4411161795798360588.post-71871642713268935222010-03-15T09:30:32.726+00:002010-03-15T09:30:32.726+00:00Jeff,
"He didn't say that the strikers s...Jeff,<br /><br /><i>"He didn't say that the strikers should put the company first."</i><br /><br />Actually, yes, he did say exactly that. It's towards the end of the video clip of the interview with Andrew Marr.<br /><br /><i>"It would be really unusual for a Transport Minister anywhere in the world not to comment on a major strike in one of the country's main airlines."</i><br /><br />Possibly. But there's a difference between 'comment' and aggressively siding with the employers.<br /><br /><i>"Gordon Brown is working to find a solution to a strike which could make the economic position of BA worse and threaten the job security of those who are thinking of going on strike"</i><br /><br />And he's right to do so. Everybody's interests are best served by reaching a negotiated settlement.John Dixonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07447224248021209852noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4411161795798360588.post-58175752793681020262010-03-15T08:56:37.686+00:002010-03-15T08:56:37.686+00:00It would be really unusual for a Transport Ministe...It would be really unusual for a Transport Minister anywhere in the world not to comment on a major strike in one of the country's main airlines. He didn't say that the strikers should put the company first. What he did say was that the strike could threaten the future of BA which has to operate in a highly competitive market where passengers numbers are falling.Last year BA made a pre tax loss of £401 million after making a profit the year before. If it ends up loosing its core business class passengers then the situation will get worse. Just imagine the reaction if a Transport minister of an independent Wales facing a similar strike said 'Nothing to do with me guv.' With power I'm afraid comes responsiblity and that is why Gordon Brown is working to find a solution to a strike which could make the economic position of BA worse and threaten the job security of those who are thinking of going on strike. It is also not true that Adonnis will serve any Party as he has made clear to the Tories who would be delighted to keep him on as a Minister. He might not have been elected but at both education and now transport he has shown himself to be one of the government's more innovative ministers. There is also a far greater chance of a high speed rail link to Wales with Adonis in charge than Theresa Villiers.Jeff Jonesnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4411161795798360588.post-13464402846392644802010-03-15T08:13:49.762+00:002010-03-15T08:13:49.762+00:00Alan,
I don't think I did imply that.
Adam,...Alan,<br /><br />I don't think I did imply that.<br /><br /><br />Adam,<br /><br />A fair summary of the situation at BA, of course. Even if speaking out of frustration at what he sees, Adonis' statement about putting the company first was still astonishing though.John Dixonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07447224248021209852noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4411161795798360588.post-33231189222153765582010-03-14T17:59:07.039+00:002010-03-14T17:59:07.039+00:00Mr Dixon, Your last para has got it badly wrong. L...Mr Dixon, Your last para has got it badly wrong. Little Andy Adonis parachuted into goverment without one vote that gave him any form of democratic legitemacy.He knows nothing of the history and struggle of the Labour Movement and he sees himself a Minister of the Crown, happy to serve any colour of government.<br />As to the strike - Ah well. Little Willie Walsh sees this as a oppertunity to remake the tired model that the Edwards Report that put BA together and Unite (who gave Labour £4m over the last 12 months) see a oppertunity to recreate a new model based on the government backed Olympic and Alitalia Airlines.- Seconds Out.Spirit of BMEnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4411161795798360588.post-45527565515439061422010-03-14T15:53:10.366+00:002010-03-14T15:53:10.366+00:00So-called New Labour is not a socialist party, as ...So-called New Labour is not a socialist party, as you imply. Plaid Cymru is far more socialist in the true meaning of the word.<br />Anyone who has socialist leanings should not vote Labour (a very disingenuous party) but vote Plaid.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16258854366964329334noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4411161795798360588.post-47478924421104371322010-03-14T15:49:10.339+00:002010-03-14T15:49:10.339+00:00I think it is more an indication of what a parlous...I think it is more an indication of what a parlous state BA is now in, something that all side appear to agree upon, but which none can seem to use as a basis for mutual action.Adam Higgitthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08404979957698536334noreply@blogger.com