GANG flames of wrath

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By Elizabeth Thompson The pay issue has been firmly linked by the Press to the publication of an opinion poll showing that 88 per cent of the 1,000 or so people asked, favoured a tough line being taken against the miners.

The Daily Mail November 11 'Let there be light' linked the poll with the collapse of the power workers action, claiming the poll as 'new evidence that the public simply will not stand for pay blackmail'.

This poll conducted by the Opinion Research Centre "independently" was, says the Mail, financed by 'about 250 industrialists'.

The effect was the same as asking well chosen people during the power workers' action whether they were pleased about their lights going out!

The opinion poll in this context is just one more instrument in the propaganda war.

Firemen have often in the past been boosted by the Press, particularly in Northern Ireland, where the dangers that they face have been used as part of the propaganda war against the IRA.

The Times sees dangers 'If the firemen's strike were at all effective, it seems inevitable that, whatever makeshilt measures the Government may take with the Services and other resources, there would soon be a major tragedy.

In such circumstances it is by no means certain how public opinion would react. There might be increased pressure on the firemen reach a settlement within the guidelines.

On the other hand since firemen in general enjoy a large degree of public admiration, the reaction might be against the Government.

(November 12)

The Sun, adopting a tone of whimsical appeal towards the firemen started its front page story: 'Will you really let the children and the old folk burn?' They keep tactfully silent on the fact that the Government and the TUC leadership are both clearly prepared to see major disasters rather than allow the firemen to win their demands.

The Guardian (November 11) headlined its story 'Cabinet relies on public opinion to get firemen back'.

It contained the following piece of Westminster cynicism:

'Some MPs think that the firemen might be persauded back to work by the force of public opinion if deaths occur which are blamed on the strike.

"It's a macabre thought', one MP said, 'but if one or two old people die because there is no professional fire fighting in their area it could end the strike quicker than any number of negotiations'.

This Government through its public spending cuts has left old people without ambulances or proper medical care;

it has ensured that thousands live in poverty without being able to warm themselves or feed themselves.

Why should it care if a few