Bernard Ingham: Return to the Bad Old Days

“If we don’t ban strikes, train passengers are being subjected to misery by the rail unions.” This alarming claim by Sir Bernard Ingham threatens to roll back decades of workers’ rights. Instead of outlawing the ultimate tool for labour justice—the strike—we must champion and defend it.

The Importance of the Right to Strike

The right of a worker to withhold his or her labour is essential for securing fair pay and safe working conditions. Striking should never be the first resort; it must remain the last—invoked only after every other avenue to negotiate with employers has been exhausted.

Independence from Political Parties

The Workers of England Union firmly believes that trade unions must maintain full independence from any political party. When the public sees a strike, they should understand it’s driven by genuine workplace concerns—be it safety, wages, or conditions—not hidden political agendas.

Resisting a Return to Victorian-Era Rights

If unions become overly entangled with political forces, voices like Sir Bernard Ingham—once Margaret Thatcher’s adviser—will exploit that link to argue for banning strikes and relegating workers’ rights to Victorian standards. We must not allow such a regressive rollback.

Eddie Bone
President and Campaign Director, Workers of England Union

Read the full Yorkshire Post article for more context. For further analysis, visit our in-depth piece on Bernard Ingham’s return trip to the bad old days. You can also explore how the Workers of England Union campaigns for local jobs and stands up for community employment.