Every week in Napo brings new and often unexpected challenges and this one typified the way in which we work collaboratively to try and address our members' problems and ensure that our external supporters get the information they need to bring others to account.
On Wednesday a debate took place in Westminster Hall where Stephen Kinnock MP (Aberavon) secured a time limited opportunity to ask the House to consider the implementation of TR.
http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201516/cmhansrd/cm151028/hall...
We have already issued a Branch Briefing which included the material that we issued to ensure that Labour were able to highlight the actuality of the shambles that is out there. Interestingly, I have had subsequent contact with two independent sources who say that the key issues that featured on Wednesday exactly match their own analysis.
Under Secretary of State Andrew Selous had prefaced his appearance at the debate with a letter to Bob Neil Chairman of the Justice Select Committee:
http://www.parliament.uk/documents/commons-committees/Justice/correspond...
Many of you have told me that you have likened this to a story that Lewis Carroll would have been proud of. In fairness to Selous he has been left to carry Graylings can on TR, as he was powerless to have changed the plot once his ideologue boss had set his sights on splitting and selling off the service. He did however make some ridiculous comments along the way such as the infamous: "your members are excited about TR" declaration which was right up there in terms of things that a politician really wishes they have never said.
Nevertheless, and as was recognised at our own AGM and at various events that have been taking place to review the post TR landscape, we may be where we are but that does not mean that we have to accept it.
Napo stands ready to have some serious engagement with Messrs Gove and Selous to see how things can be improved, and we back the various requests that Stephen Kinnock made in his speech, and especially the suggestion he made before he was cut short by time constraints, that a cross-party group ought to be established to see how urgent help can be provided to prevent the whole infrastructure totally imploding.
You couldn't make it up but it's true!
Speaking of Alice in Wonderland syndrome, I had to rub the looking glass (OK my i pad screen actually) when I saw this (anonymised to protect the innocent) story from somewhere this week:
'Practitioner returns from a hard days slog including a lengthy MAPPA meeting but on returning to the last place where they had a desk, found it (along with many others) to be plastered with a sticker saying CRC.
The not unreasonable question being asked is: Why, when it was one hell of a job to secure space and adequate furniture when the NPS/CRC split occurred, am I now expected to sit on the floor with my laptop and do my work, after the removals team arrives, and by the way, who agreed to this nonsense?'
I look forward to hearing the answers or otherwise that are forthcoming. I expect that Michel Gove with his stated interest in dealing with waste and incompetence might be interested in examples such as this so please keep them coming.
We are now live and on line - make the switch to DD or join Napo today!
A good news piece on which to end the week as Napo launches it's online joining and switch to Direct Debit application.
https://www.napo.org.uk/switching-direct-debit
You will need your bank account name sort code and number and you are set to go. We are now firming up our plans to take the sign up and join Napo campaign out into workplaces and more news will follow via this Blog, mailings to members and Branch Briefings, all of which tell you about what is actually going on in your union and the hard work by your Officers and Staff to try and make a difference.
Kill the Bill
Back next week with news on the Trade Union Bill amongst other things, and hoping to see some of you at the TUC rally in London at Central Hall on Monday. Meet at Nelson Mandela statue from 12:15 in Parliament Square.
- ilawrence@napo.org.uk's blog
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