Solidarity

Dear Ed

I've never seen a more absurd performance by a person interiewed than yours when you simply repeated the same statement over and over: "These strikes are wrong... these strikes are wrong...".

You had the appearance, not of a thinking, independent minded, rational person, but someone capable only of a fixed and rehearsed response.

This made you look like a message boy, rather than a leader, as if you were repeating an agreed script, possibly one handed to you, rather than something you worked out for yourself.

On top of that, you've ditched one of the basic principles of the labour movement: Solidarity.

The J30 strike had massive support from those balloted - a greater percentage than any party got in the general election, even allowing for turnout. In addition, millions of workers, youth, pensioners and unemployed - all of us targets of government cuts - supported the action.

But you chose the other side, even laughing and joking with the architects of austerity, Cameron and Clegg, after you'd joined their chorus of strike breakers and scabs.

We need leaders who support our struggle to save the NHS, education and other services from cuts and privatization. We need leaders who back the action taken by workers who run these services, in defense of jobs, pay and pensions.

We don't need a bosses' man who sides with Tories and LibDems when they try to put the boot in.

If you won't back us in the fight to stop the coalition wrecking our lives, make way for others who will.

Show solidarity, or stand aside.