The reports of his funeral were both moving and funny. This was a man 'Clydebuilt' through and through. Gifted with the talent to make the complicated clear and having values rooted in decency, co-operation, and a sense of worth. Where are his modern counterparts? In the Labour Party? Look in vain. Thanks to Blair and Brown they have become 'Tory-lite.' Apart from no-hoper Dianne Abbott, all the other leadership candidates come from the same political bubble.
Look to the unions in vain. Too many union leaders seem more concerned about their 'houses for life' and their salaries, their cars (with driver) and perks than they are about the plight of the workers they supposedly represent.
For an instance, take a look at Derek Simpson, joint General Secretary of Unite - if you have the stomach to do so. Unite represents many of the poorest workers in the country. Dear avuncular Derek draws a huge salary of over £180,000; has been given a swanky house worth over £800,000 for life by his union; doesn't get on with the other Joint Secretary, Tony Woodley, and he has a knack for gifting the initiative to the tory press and bosses. What a treasure. Thankfully he is retiring in December. But why oh why is he still in post?
As the Tory machine continue to spin their line that massive cuts are inevitable, where are the alternative voices demanding that the City and Bankers take their share of the pain? Where is a Jimmy Reid when you need him?
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