28 January 2003

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Fire strike gets nasty

"The time had come to take action to help break the deadlock in the fire dispute" - those words from former Trade Union rep, the deputy PM, John Prescott. So, the government plans to get tough in its battle with the fire service strikers. Plans are afoot to introduce emergency legislation and the FBU leadership is furious.

As the fire strike gets nasty we asked where this leaves relations between the government and its friends in the union movement.

Laming inquiry
Also, we learned of the total chaos and mismanagement in social services departments. Lord Laming's report into the death of Victoria Climbie revealed a picture of utter confusion. Victoria was known to 4 social services departments, 3 housing departments, 2 police units, 2 hospitals and even an NSPCC centre - they all failed to prevent her murder.

The Laming inquiry is supposed to be the inquiry that stops all inquiries. But haven't we heard all this before? What will stop this report going the same way as those following the deaths of Maria Colwell, Jasmine Beckford, Ainlee Walker and the other 70 conducted since 1945?

Israel's latest election
And, we were in Jerusalem as the polls closed in their latest general election. The pundits expected Sharon to win easily but would join him in government? The religious right or secular left?

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