For those of us who have followed the London Fire dispute, there is a sense of wonder at vigour with which chair of the London Fire Authority, Brian Coleman has tried to wind up the Fire Brigade Union. I've wondered what sort of a man would deliberately seek to antagonise a profession so widely respected by all.
Well, reports of a conversation have reached the Barnet Eye, where Brian seems to confirm that the whole thing is a deliberate strategy. Of course this is "hear say". We all know that Brian has my email address so if he wishes to email me and tell me that this isn't true, I'd be more than happy to print a clarification of what exactly he said.
Anyway, it appears that Brian was asked whether it was wise to pick such a public fight with Londons Brave firemen and he responded "Listen, everyone is sick of bully boy unions. Everyone thinks it's time we stood up to them. I'm probably the most popular politician in London for doing this"
I wonder if Boris Johnson is quaking in his boots at the thought of a challenge from Brian Coleman. Methinks all of this press coverage is going to Our Brians head.
I think recent examples of Coleman's political meddling have clearly demonstrated he has finally lost the plot: Allowancegate and the fire dispute being the most obvious. Allowancegate: 100% disaster. Fire dispute: he was about as successful as Guy Fawkes. People admire and respect firefighters, they don't associate them with 'bully boy unions'. Two serious errors of judgement. More disastrously for poor Brian,ludicrous media stories supposed to discredit firefighters backfired and focus turned a little too closer to home: AssetCo, Sleeping Beauty photos etc. By ending their strike, the firefighters came out of the situation with integrity and dignity: as for Coleman, well, yet again he has egg on his face.
ReplyDeletein response to both Rog and Mrs A, my polite question would be: ".... which head, which face....?" there are more than one I believe..... (-;
ReplyDeleteGood news! We won't be having to put up with Coleman the politician much longer: according to Tory GLA leader Roger Evans blog,at the Camden Mayor's question time last week, Brian launched a new career as a rapper/MC! Multi talented, or what?
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