Despot Dave

Paul Routledge writes:

David Cameron has never had a proper job in his life, and it shows.

The son of a City stockbroker, he glided effortlessly through Eton, Oxford and Conservative Central Office to become a spin doctor for a TV company.

He is a boy dogged by success.

The Tory leader has never been sacked, and he thinks a strike is something you do with matches. That’s why he nonchalantly threatens to deny public service workers the right to take action in support of jobs and wages.

Dictator Dave hinted at what’s to come in a newspaper interview. “The trade union laws that were passed in the 1980s have stood the test of time,” he burbled pompously, before warning: “If ever they need to be strengthened, I would be very happy to strengthen them.”

So that’s what makes him happy. Other folk would be content with decent treatment at work. Cameron wants to strengthen Thatcher’s anti-union laws – already the most draconian in Europe – to weaken terms and conditions of employment for everyone trying to earn a living.

He warns public service workers he’s a “very determined and robust” man (eerily reminiscent of Iain Duncan Smith’s dozy “quiet man” boast), parading himself as Mr Hard, ready to take on the unions with a pay freeze and mammoth job cuts.

It’s easy to be tough when you have the law, the judges, the police and a tame media on your side.

Less easy when you’re a public service worker on low pay, and all that stands between you and a P45 is your union and your workmates.

I reckon Cameron has in his sights Unison, the big public service union that doesn’t have many strikes but knows how to win them – like the binmen’s dispute in Leeds – and gives strong support to Labour.

Dave Prentis, leader of Unison, tells me: “This is typical Tory reverting to type, Instead of attacking their rich friends in the City who caused the recession, they turn their fire on ordinary, hard-working public servants.

“They are the ones who have been out in all weathers, who day-in, day-out care for the sick, children, the vulnerable, the elderly, who keep our streets clean and safe and make sure we have heating and lighting.

“Cameron is signalling industrial strife – he would far rather pick a fight with the unions than spell out exactly what are his policies on the public services. This will be a huge turn-off for public sector workers and the people who rely on those services.”

Hear, hear!

It looks suspiciously like the Tory boss wants to provoke a dispute, casting Unison as a political dragon to be slain so he can boast he’s a “very determined” man.

In the coming election, the most important question to politicians will be: “Whose side are you on?” It’s pretty clear where Despot Dave stands – on the necks of the workers.