Animal Farm

There were two callers on Radio Merseyside this morning taking part in a discussion on stereotyping. They complained they were discriminated against on their trip to London for the demonstrations, because they were 'scousers'.

What emerged though was that both these men (one a retired trade unionist) had travelled by first class rail,  paid for by the unions.

It would have been bad enough if these men were union officials, but it seems there was no pecking-order, and there were first class coaches stuffed with ordinary members and their families. I also learned that many of the 'demonstrators' did an hour or so then went off sight seeing.

Was the first class rail fare a sweetener to persuade people to take part? It's not bad, is it? A freebie trip in first class style to the capital to demonstrate against government cuts, and a visit to Madame Tussuad's and the Tower of London for afters!

Many moons ago, I was a member of USDAW, and I would have been appalled that my hard earned cash was being used to fund a posh jolly aimed at supporting the Labour Party. Not all trade union members vote Labour. If I was one of them I would be demanding to know how much it all cost, and why demonstrators had to travel first class by the coach load.

Last week we learned from the Crosby Herald that Mark Dowd, Labour member for St Oswald Ward, one of the most deprived areas in Sefton - is the most expensive councillor on Merseyside, drawing £63,044 in allowances. It's good work if you can get it!

It is pure hypocrisy for these people to bleat on about government cuts when they themselves are living the life of Riley.