As the wind and rain continued to batter Britain, UNISON general secretary Dave Prentis paid tribute to the “hardworking, dedicated women and men, doing their best in the worst of circumstances” to deal with the crisis.
Addressing the union’s national women’s conference in Brighton, he was scathing of the “cynical politicians” making “cheap points” by blaming the Environment Agency.
And he suggested that, if David Cameron was being truthful in saying that “money’s now no object, how about lifting the threat to 1,500 more jobs in the Environment Agency.”
Mr Prentis also had words of thanks for all the union’s members and activists, noting that ‘the work that you do, week in, week out, is what makes our union strong.’
But he had words of condemnation for the likes of Mr Cameron, George Osborne and Nick Clegg, saying that they have never had to make “tough choices” and noting that directors’ pay has grown by 31% in the last year alone.
“The rich have never had it so good,” he said.
“The problem doesn’t live on Benefits Street,” he told delegates. ”The real problem lives on Downing Street.”
But he warned them not to celebrate UKIP pushing the Conservative Party into third place in the Wythenshaw and Sale by-election.
Stressing that UKIP would scrap working people’s rights such as maternity leave, he noted that there was a “lack of challenge from [other] political parties”, and “a failure of courage and a failure of compassion” that was allowing UKIP to make gains.
Mr Prentis had strong words too on the economy – both on the need for proper pay rises – “because you’re Worth It” – and also on the indictment of the Red Cross handing out food parcels in this country for the first time since the second world war.
And he urged a massive turnout at the demonstration that has been called for London and other UK capitals in October, to send a message to the government and also to the Labour Party.
“The fight for the future is, quite simply, in our hands,” he told them.
“And on Valentine’s Day, we agreed a date – that we’ll all meet on 18 October and you’ll all bring your friends with you.”
