It makes the forthcoming period of politics interesting if just for farcical reasons. Astonishing what has happened.

Its great for the country that the Tories can draw up a long term plan for the country whilst Tom and Jerry spend each Sat attending demonstrations in Hyde Park dressed in Donkey Jackets.

Good to see Labour electing a white, middle class, male career politician.

Given that absolute wages have plummeted in this country over the past few decades and the fact that unionised labour is consistently better paid than non-unionised - more than you might think.

I challenge you to prove the last statement. Union membership is falling - strange that - when the financial benefits in your strange mind are so obvious!!

Those increased "closed shop" unions called the BMA, fighting for their members regarding 7 day working, much to the annoyance of people who would like this. the " closed shop"
Law Society fighting the government regarding legal aid etc. The NFU having a go about decreased SUBSIDIES for their members. Need I go on? Don't forget these Union leaders are very well paid, just like the 1st divi on of the civil service.
Yeh unions holding the country to ransom! hypocrisy.
Like AJW, you are also a sad indictment of the education system which has let you down.
Help is available, you choice, but if you want to stay in a state of struggling to think, then your choice. You are missing out on so much.

You "challenge" me?

I have found it to be the case. If you don't have a unionised workforce the employer dictates what the payrise will be so if they say it's 0% that's what you get (as has happened to many over the past three decades).

"You choice"? Did you and AJW get the same education? Or were you trying to belittle him/her because you've nothing left other than petty insults. Just write "WAAAHHHHH....Tories" in future it'll save time.

Re-nationalisation

According to The Wage Impact of Trade Unions in the UK Public and Private Sectors by David Blanchflower, there's an estimated 10% mark up on wages in the UK for those in unions compared to matched individuals not in unions, with wage dispersion also 25% lower in firms with unions. Union membership is falling due to reasons such as de-industrialisation, more flexibile labour markets than previously and legislation which has weakened unions; I recommend you read Blanchflower's International Patterns of Union Membership if you want further explanation.

Does the employer dictate? Surely the market dictates. If the employer wants to hang on to his best staff he will incentivise them or they may move on. The days of the village working in the village pit has long gone.

Yep.



Never seen a cheque signed by "The Market".

I work in the technology sector and I can assure you that management concern themselves with the better staff leaving to competitors and as such pay well and provide amazing working environments. I would argue that's market driven.