United in anger

It was ironic that this threatened action was announced in front of a banner that read GMB@Work. If only. Of course, some will contend that this so-called "spring of discontent" stems from the unions, Labour's paymasters, flexing their muscles ahead of the election. This is short-sighted. It is not in their interests for them to undermine the Government, especially as a Tory administration is likely to be less sympathetic to their demands.

In many respects, these strikes are being driven by the exasperation of ordinary workers who are being expected to work more for less while their bosses enjoy inflated privileges, and while the ruling political elite continue to milk the Westminster system for every last penny, as exemplified by the expenses scandal and now the "cash for influence" lobbying controversy.

Given that money from town halls and Whitehall made up more than half of the country's Gross Domestic Product for the first time ever last year, every sector of the economy is going to have to make efficiency savings. This goes without saying. The lead will have to come from Westminster. But it's difficult to see how calls for restraint can be taken seriously when so many politicians are setting such a rotten example.