Shapps seeks the mantle of moderation on strikes

Fresh from his photoshop debacle, Grant Shapps arrived in the Commons today to outline the government’s plans for minimum safety level legislation. He and his colleagues are currently engaged in a difficult balancing act: negotiating with unions over pay one day, then seeking to curb their powers the next. It is emblematic of the ‘carrot and stick’ approach that ministers have adopted throughout this winter of industrial action – hinting heavily that workers will receive pay improvements in the next financial settlement, while threatening new restrictions to prevent a future repeat of these strikes.

Shapps is seen as one of the Conservatives’ more affable communicators. He therefore sought to present today’s measures as sensible and pragmatic, a ‘reasonable and mature way’ to ensure that ‘lives and livelihoods are not lost’ in industrial action. He promised to consult on what a minimum service level should look like but confirmed that the legislation will apply to six key sectors of health, education, fire, ambulance, rail and nuclear power.