The Charge of the Trolley Brigade

British Airways is no longer the "world's favourite" carrier it once was. BA's combative boss, Willie Walsh, himself a union poacher turned tough gamekeeper at Aer Lingus, knows that better than most. That is why he is determined to cut staff costs in pursuit of a tie-up with Iberia. So BA's strategy of enforced merger from a position of weakness is one thing it has in common with Unite.

But unless its well-prepared confrontation comes unstuck – have all 1,000 would-be strikebreakers been properly trained, let alone vetted? – BA's hand is much stronger than Unite's. Is this Walsh's Murdoch-at-Wapping moment? If so, cabin crew are engaged in a modern Charge of the Trolley Brigade at 30,000 feet, workers who know that changes in the form of lower pay and worse conditions are coming.

If they were steelworkers in post-industrial, consumerist Britain, most people might simply shrug. But with an election approaching, the primary impact is political. "This a getting serious for Labour," insiders concede. BA is promising to deliver most of its passengers. But footage of Easter chaos at Heathrow is both cheaper and politically more effective than Cameron's "we can't go on like this" posters. After yesterday's news that signal staff belonging to the militant RMT transport union have joined maintenance staff in voting for strike action, possibly over Easter too, ministers must have hung their heads in despair.

White-collar staff in the TSSA union have also voted to help disrupt the railways, although they lack a pantomine villain like the RMT's shaven-headed leader, Bob Crow. Famous enough to be booed on Have I Got News For You, he relishes confrontation. It is easy to imagine Crow endorsing what is said to have been Willie Walsh's motto at the pilots' union: "A reasonable negotiator never gets anywhere." The irony is not lost on old Labour hands. State-owned air and rail industries have been privatised and the government's role marginalised. The unions have been weakened and it is unfettered capital that now throws its weight around.

Yet when it suits an anti-union Conservative party and de-unionised newspapers to demonise enfeebled Unite and Bob Crow they do not hesitate. The way things are looking this weekend it might even work too, although it remains a risk.
Michael White, the Guardian

The All New Tory Freakshow

The Guardian today publishes an audio slideshow of David Cameron's new generation of Conservative candidates; from a black farmer to a chick-lit writer, they describe their motivations and ambitions alongside portraits by Nadav Kander.  Warning: it ain't pretty!

Watch Freakshow here

Ken and Pam get married

Ken Andrew, Conservative Parliamentary Candidate for Carshalton and Wallington, and Pamela [?] married on 19th September and they would like to share some of the wonderful moments with everyone in the constituency.  How kind.

The theme of the reception was of a garden with lots of flowers. People came from many parts of the world and from around the UK to be at the wedding. Thrilling.

'Gay Dutch soldiers caused Srebrenica massacre'

A retired US general's claim that gay Dutch soldiers were partly to blame for allowing the Srebrenica massacre has sparked outrage in the Netherlands.

John Sheehan, a former Nato commander who retired from the military in 1997, told a Senate armed services committee hearing in Washington yesterday that gay soldiers weakened the Dutch army, which failed to prevent Serb forces from massacring some 8,000 Muslim men in the Bosnian enclave of Srebrenica in July 1995.

Read the full Guardian article here

BA cabin crew to strike as talks collapse

A strike by British Airways cabin crew will go ahead after talks between the airline and the Unite union collapsed. The first three-day strike begins on Saturday, with a second scheduled for 27 March.

"BA does not want to negotiate and ultimately wants to go to war with this union," Unite's joint general secretary Tony Woodley said. The airline's chief executive Willie Walsh said the strike was "deeply regrettable. Tens of thousands of BA people stand ready to serve our passengers and BA will be flying and will continue to fly through these periods of industrial action," Mr Walsh said. He added he remained available for talks on reaching a "sensible" agreement, but said that BA must cut costs.

Read BBC Breaking News here

Vatican ends "wall of silence" over child abuse scandal

The Vatican is breaking its silence on the previously taboo subject of paedophilia, following allegations of sexual abuse by Catholic priests in Germany. As the Pope has now become embroiled in the scandal, the BBC's David Willey [sic] questions whether he has been doing his job properly.

"During four decades of reporting from the Vatican, I have never seen a graver crisis affecting the very credibility of the leadership of the world's longest surviving international organisation, the Roman Catholic Church."

BBC Radio 4 'From Our Own Correspondent'

Ashcroft's lawyers silence 'Panorama'

The BBC has shelved a Panorama documentary about the business affairs of the Tory billionaire Lord Ashcroft, because of a threat of legal action. The Corporation has received what one insider described as "several very heavy letters" from Lord Ashcroft's lawyers. There is now little or no prospect of the investigation being broadcast before the general election, if it goes out at all.

The hold-up will delight David Cameron's campaign team, who had been trying to pressure the BBC into delaying the programme until after the general election. But sources inside the Corporation firmly deny that political pressure played a part in keeping the programme off the air, attributing the delay solely to the risk of legal action.

Read the full Independent article here

The George Cross: Staff Sergeant Olaf Schmid and Staff Sergeant Kim Hughes

Two Army bomb disposal experts have been awarded the George Cross for their heroics in Afghanistan. A posthumous honour goes to Staff Sergeant Olaf Schmid, 30, who made safe 64 devices before his death in October while defusing a bomb near Sangin. The GC, one of the UK's highest awards for gallantry, was also presented to his comrade in the Royal Logistic Corps, Staff Sergeant Kim Hughes.

Miles Amoore of the Sunday Times spoke to Schmid shortly before his death and asked him why he’d nicknamed the team he commanded Rainbow. “It’s because we’re the only all-gay counter-IED team in Helmand,” he joked, a grin spreading across his face. “We named ourselves after Zippy, Bungle and George. It was good for morale. When we’re out on a job people always ask us why we’re called Team Rainbow. We could joke about it. Our team mascot is a duck. We call him Corporal Quackers.”

Lamb's liver with whiskey cream sauce

Serves 4
1lb / 500g lamb's liver, membrane removed, sliced crosswise into 1/4-in / 6mm slices
2 cups / 475ml milk
Salt
½ cup / 125g butter
1 onion, minced
2 tbsp Irish whiskey
½ cup / 120ml heavy cream
1 tbsp wholegrain mustard
1 tbsp chopped fresh chives
Pepper

Put the liver into a shallow dish large enough to hold it in a single layer; then cover with the milk and sprinkle lightly with salt. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

Rinse the lamb's liver, discarding the milk, and pat dry with paper towels. Melt half the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook the onions, stirring frequently, until soft and beginning to brown, 10 to 12 minutes. Remove the onions from the skillet with a slotted spoon and set aside. Melt the remaining butter in the same skillet and, working in batches, sear the liver over high heat for about 1½ minutes on each side. As the liver is done, transfer to a plate and set aside.

Pour the whiskey into the pan, warm it for about a minute, then carefully ignite it with a kitchen match. When the flames die down, stir in the cream and mustard, scraping up any browned bits on the bottom of the pan. Cook for about 1 minute, then return the onions and liver to the skillet, along with any juices that may have accumulated.

Stir well, season to taste with salt and pepper, and cook for 1 to 2 minutes or until the liver is heated through. Garnish with the chives.

Mandelson pledges action over mephedrone drug

The legality of the drug mephedrone will be examined "very speedily, very carefully" following the deaths of two teenagers, Lord Mandelson said. The business secretary said the government would take "any action that is justified to deal with this". Louis Wainwright, 18, and Nicholas Smith, 19, died in Scunthorpe on Monday after taking the drug. The National Association of Head Teachers (NAHT) says a ban of the substance should be considered. Lord Mandelson said the government would "take any action that is needed... to avert such tragic consequences occurring in the future".

Mephedrone Mandy says: Say no to drugs, boys, or you'll end up in prostitution.  Oh, wait ...

Mephedrone Facts

Recreational drug with effects similar to amphetamines and ecstasy

Sold as a white powder, also found in capsules and pills or can be dissolved in a liquid
Often sold online as plant food marked "not for human consumption"
Completely different drug to methadone, which is a pharmaceutical drug typically used as a very strong painkiller or to treat heroin addicts
Reported side-effects include headaches, palpitations, nausea, cold or blue fingers
Long-term effect of taking drug unknown
Currently legal to buy and be in possession of the powder, but against the law to sell, supply or advertise the powder for human consumption under the Medicines Act
Already illegal in Israel, Denmark, Norway and Sweden
Source BBC

Unite calls in the cavalry

All strikes are political, but some are more political than others. This weekend's British Airways strike has been hyped far beyond its industrial significance. No government money or national interest is at stake. There are plenty of competitors for BA in the supply of airline services, and 80% of air travel is for leisure and tourism.

What draws headlines is that the union involved, the Unite conglomerate, has given the Labour party £11m over the past two years. It is far more important to Labour in the coming election than Lord Ashcroft is to the Tories. In a bizarre, traditional abuse of parliament, it is also allowed to have 100 MPs on its books and wields half the union votes in Labour's electoral college. Ministers are understandably concerned.

Read Simon Jenkins' article for the Guardian here
British Airways passengers face the threat of disruption on both sides of the Atlantic after the Teamsters, the powerful US trade union, confirmed it would meet Unite representatives in Washington today to discuss supporting a looming cabin crew strike. "We stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters at Unite who are fighting for a fair contract at British Airways," said the Teamsters in a statement. "The Teamsters are an active member of the International Transport Workers Federation. ITF affiliates around the world are mobilising to support British Airways workers in their fight for passenger safety and worker respect."

Read Dan Milmo's article for the Guardian here

Achilles

by Carol Ann Duffy

Myth's river - where his mother dipped him, fished him, a slippery golden boy flowed on, his name on its lips.

Without him, it was prophesised, they would not take Troy.

Women hid him, concealed him in girls' sarongs; days of sweetmeats, spices, silver songs...

But when Odysseus came, with an athlete's build, a sword and a shield, he followed him to the battlefield, the crowd's roar,

And it was sport, not war, his charmed foot on the ball...

But then his heel, his heel, his heel...

Pope Benedict XVI confirms dates of UK tour

Pope Benedict XVI has confirmed the dates of a visit to the UK this year. The pontiff will visit the country from 16 to 19 September, in what will be the first papal UK visit since that of John Paul II in 1982. The Pope will start his trip in Edinburgh, where he will be received by the Queen at Holyrood House. He will beatify 19th Century theologian Cardinal John Henry Newman, visit the Archbishop of Canterbury at Lambeth Palace and pray at Westminster Abbey.

See you there, arsehole.
 

The Pope will travel to Coventry airport for the beatification of Cardinal Newman, a convert to Catholicism. This will bring the cleric a step closer to becoming the first non-martyred English saint since the Reformation. His itinerary will also include a giant open-air Mass in Glasgow's Bellahouston Park, a prayer vigil in London and an event focusing on education. He will give a "major speech" at Westminster Hall in the Houses of Parliament, it was announced at a news conference at the Foreign Office. The theme of the visit will be relations between the Christian Churches and the major faiths.

Liam Fox loses appeal against ruling to pay back £22,500 in expenses

The shadow defence secretary, Liam Fox, today lost his appeal against a ruling that he should pay back £22,500 of expenses. Fox had repaid the cash, by far the highest amount in the shadow cabinet, before the decision. The contentious claim, for £22,476.03, related to his decision to remortgage his second home to pay for redecorations and claim the higher interest repayments on his expenses. He said his claims represented value for money because he could have charged the taxpayer for the decorating bills directly.

The millionaire claims he is 'out of pocket' as a result of the ruling

But Sir Paul Kennedy, the former high court judge hearing MPs' appeals against orders to pay back expenses claims, dismissed Fox's appeal. "What you claimed was not recoverable under the rules then in force," Kennedy said. "I entirely accept that, like many others, you could have made other claims if the fees office had rejected your claims for mortgage interest, and that you may well have spent some of what you raised by increasing your mortgage on your constituency home, but the evidence is imprecise, and my terms of reference only allow me to interfere if I find special reasons in your individual case showing that it would not be fair and equitable to require repayment, either at all or at the level recommended."

Commenting on Kennedy's ruling, Fox said: "When Sir Thomas Legg said that the fees office had overpaid my mortgage interest over six years I immediately repaid the money as I never wanted to have any funds I was not entitled to. I am delighted that Sir Paul Kennedy has acknowledged that had the fees office rejected this at the outset, I would have been able to claim directly for work carried out on my property. While out of pocket as a result, I feel vindicated that I acted at all times in good faith."

Aswell as being an MP, Liam Fox is also a lecturer for the medical educational firm Arrest Ltd, for which he earns £25,000 for 14 days' work; he has an estimated wealth of £1m.

Conservatives 'to outline cuts after Budget'

The Conservatives are preparing to outline spending cuts they would make in this financial year if they are elected, the BBC has been told. BBC political editor Nick Robinson said the party was waiting for next week's Budget before unveiling more details. Earlier shadow chancellor George Osborne called the PM 'dishonest' over the need for urgent spending cuts. But Labour's Liam Byrne said Mr Osborne needed to be 'honest about the cuts he intends to make to frontline services'. Conservative leader David Cameron told the BBC on Monday: 'We've got to be straight with people about what needs to be done... we have always said more than the government and we will go on saying more.'

Honestly, George.

Voting record on gay rights

Lib Dem Spring Conference

Bunday, the Times

Rowson, the Guardian

Pressure on Labour over cost of poll promises

Labour wants to promise five guarantees in its manifesto aimed at winning over a sceptical electorate in the post-expenses world. The party hopes to tackle voter mistrust with new legally binding rights on public services, jobs and Britain’s deficit. This is part of a “personal offer” designed to rebuild confidence with the electorate and accountability in government.

The guarantees are at the core of a document drawn up last week by Ed Miliband [pictured above, with 'a friend'], the Cabinet minister charged with writing the draft manifesto. There are fears that he may come under union pressure to make impossible spending commitments. Union leaders want to add promises to protect public sector pensions, cut taxes for the lower paid and end the privatisation of the welfare state. Whitehall sources say that the manifesto cannot be “signed off” until after the Budget next week, which will set out some of the spending constraints for the Government. Alistair Darling, the Chancellor, is determined to remove any uncosted pledges in the manifesto that might undermine the Government’s credibility on cutting the deficit.

Read the full Times Online article here

Cardinal Brady will not resign over abuse 'cover-up'

The head of the Catholic Church in Ireland says he will only resign over claims he helped cover up sex abuse if he is asked to do so by the Pope. Cardinal Sean Brady was at meetings in the 1970s where two abused teenagers signed vows of silence over their complaints against Fr Brendan Smyth. Fr Smyth was a notorious sex offender jailed in the 1990s for child abuse.

"There was no cover up, I believed those people. I brought what I heard to the bishop," Cardinal Brady said. The complaints of abuse were investigated by Cardinal Brady in his capacity as secretary to the bishop of Kilmore in 1975. Cardinal Brady said he had been following his bishop's orders and there were no guidelines for dealing with such investigations at that time. "Now I know with hindsight that I should have done more. I thought at that time I was doing what I was required to do, and not just that, but most effectively. I acted with great urgency to get that evidence and produce it. I believed in doing so, I was following the most effective route to get this stopped. That is my concern and always was - the safety of children." He said his actions were part of a process that removed the shamed cleric's licence to act as a priest. He said he did not believe this was a resigning matter.

So what the fuck is?!

Read the full BBC News article here

No World Cup for Beckham

David Beckham's dream of playing in a fourth World Cup looks over after he tore an Achilles tendon in AC Milan's 1-0 win over Chievo on Sunday. Beckham was unchallenged when he suffered the injury and hobbled off in pain before being stretchered away. The 34-year-old was hoping to be part of England's World Cup squad in June, but instead will fly to Finland on Monday for specialist surgery.

 "A rupture of the Achilles tendon is suspected," said an AC Milan statement. Beckham, who is in his second loan stint with Milan from the Los Angeles Galaxy, will now almost certainly not be fit for the World Cup in South Africa which starts on 11 June. AC Milan team-mate Ignazio Abate said the England star was inconsolable. "He's not doing well. He was in tears in the dressing room, he wasn't saying a lot. This has affected us all," said Abate.

Former Manchester United star Beckham, England's most capped outfield player with 115 appearances, was bidding to become the first England player to feature in four successive World Cup finals. He shares the record of three with Bobby Moore and Peter Shilton.