Defy law to save our services ACTION After his 'comedy of errors', a glum looking Howe THE TORY MINISTERS are in disarray over the. Cheltenham affair. falsehoods, dispute with ITV and quarelling publicly Treasury Minister Barney Heyhoe.
Two former Foreign Secretaries, Lord Carrington Mr Francis Pym have or less disowned him. Sir Brian Tovey former Cheltenham director the Foreign Secretary and Foreign Secretary and the Prime Minister. Howe Thatcher vehemently Chaling Cheltenham ban had nothing to do with the Americans, while Tovey• says US pressure was a big factor in deciding to formembership.
Even the Sun has described the ministers behaviour as a 'spectacle bungling pathetic incompetence Yet despite the confusion that reigns in government circles, neither the TUC, the civil servants unions, nor the Party have turned it to an Howe is bogged down in denials and counter denials. He is in with effective advantage. The civil service unions have halted the spontaneous walkout, and aren't ever calling a day of action until 28 February, by which time Thatcher may have got her house in order.
The TUC the unions hope a compromise can be reached and believe that they and the govern ment can get together and over talks find such a compromise.
Unfortunately the leaders lack realism of the Economist which comments: Not to!
the first time the Prime Minister and Sir Geoffrey appear to have blundered Sudent Il a minetielc and are now determined to Carrington along with Pym contradicts Foreign Secretary blunder on through come shell and shot, until they get a medal at the tar side Both Kinnock Labour's spokesperson on Homi Affairs, Gerald Kauffman, have seized on the government's embarrassments have restricted their attacks to exchanges parliamentary benches. Both the union and the leaders have demonstrated a real ineptitude at kicking an opponent when they are on the floor. The call for Howe's ICS 212101 came SalS from David Owen — of all people!
There is nowa. bis danger that despite overwhelmng popular opposi tion the Tories are going to win over the ban on unions at Cheltenham. So far they have not retreated inch on the actual decision. The prestige of the government is now totally tied up with the ban.
The only thing that is going reverse the government policy is the calling action inrougnoul civil ser vice. And the TUC backing such action with its affiliated unions and breaking off its talks with the Tories.
Meanwhile the Labour Nel snoula picage lls ullconditional support to any action taken by the civil service unions.