Punch-up ahead?
Tony Blair’s plan to reform public services will succeed only if he picks the right ground on which to fight vested interests in the public sector
JUST three weeks after the election, the government is embroiled in a battle that could determine the success of Labour's second term in office. The trade unions have been squaring up against plans to make greater use of private companies in delivering public services. To cool inflamed tempers, ministers have been talking down the scale of Labour's ambitions. In a throwback to past Labour governments, the trade-union barons have been entertained at Number 10—though over dinner rather than beer and sandwiches.
This article appeared in the Britain section of the print edition under the headline “Punch-up ahead?”
From the June 30th 2001 edition
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