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The tumbleweed blew down the deserted street.
In the baking sun of high-noon, the three men stood, facing each other.
Each with their weapon of choice.
A Colt .45, single-action revolver… drawn, cocked ready.
The others… a Smith and Wesson Model 3, and a Remington 75.
The three, guns pointing at each other.
The saloon-bar door swung and creaked as the last passerby took cover.
It was a Mexican stand-off.
Who would blink first? Who would squeeze the trigger? Would the three fall, together?
There would only be one winner… the thin, pale face of the undertaker could just be made-out, standing in the shadows, peering through the window…
… too nervous to pull back the curtain and have a proper look at the history being made in his small town but certain, in the next few minutes he would be the richer by a coffin, or two.
Right now, history is being made in one of our not-so-small towns. A city, in fact.
A city where there’s a Mexican stand-off. Just as dramatic. No tumbleweed rolling down the streets. Here, there are rats running down the streets.
The bin strike in Birmingham, the stand-off between, the Labour government, a Labour council and a Labour funding trades union.
Each, refusing to back down. Each, powerless to resolve the dispute.
A tension, that exposes deep fractures within the Labour movement and raises questions about priorities, power dynamics, and political accountability.
Birmingham, Labour council and Keir Starmer’s national Labour are not aligned.
The Council issued a Section 114 notice in 2023 because of a £760 million equal pay liability… and is bankrupt.
Legally, it cannot agree to pay-deals or make financial commitments that worsen its budget.
Unite, under its leader Sharon Graham, has a militant and independent stance, often publicly criticising Labour politicians who don't defend workers’ interests.
She’s fighting for the retention of Waste and Recycling Collection Officers. The ending of which led to an £8,000 pay cut for 170 workers.
Brum is broke. Even if they wanted to reverse it, they can’t... unless they are bailed out.
Charmer, who promised nation before politics, is stuck:
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Can’t be seen taking sides. Not to do so makes him appear impotent and weak.
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Pressuring the union risks alienating a core financial backer.
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If he pressures the council to pay, it would be financially irresponsible… possibly ultra-vires.
Labour should be able to sort this out. They run the council, they run the country, and they’re deeply connected to the union.
In practice, the council is broke, the union is militant, and the national party is cautious, hence…
… the Mexican Stand-off.
Meanwhile, rubbish piles up in the streets. The public health risk exacerbates.
Public health professionals should be raging about the risks to families and kids, but they're employed by the council. You can hear the saloon-doors swinging as the dive for cover.
Lansley's idea of moving PH people into local authorities has backfired. They are gagged and in fear of their jobs.
Charmer has no money and he won’t waste political capital by stepping in.
What’s the answer?
Speak to the man on the Clapham omnibus, or in this case the woman on the Number 50 bus in Brum.
They’ll say; sort it out... bring in the army. The public's health is more important than political posturing.
Possible? Yes, under the Military Aid to the Civil Authorities Act.
If:
- There is a significant threat to public health or safety… yes.
- All civilian options have been exhausted… yes.
- The request is made by local authorities and approved by central government…
Does it meet the criteria for a request? You be the judge.
There’s accumulated rubbish which will lead to a serious health emergency, a disease outbreak or widespread infestation that local services cannot handle.
This is an obvious public health crisis, even if the Brum public health people can't say so and Labour is impotent.
Vermin are chasing off terrified workers, and are attacking property, it will be children next. Already an outraged public are setting fire to piles of festering rubbish and how long before undertakers become unexpectedly busy.
No other local or regional resources can resolve the problem… this is too big for private contractors. This is a Mexican stand-off. Labour are stuck and the public are at risk.
The threshold is met. The families of Birmingham are plunging into a rat infested hell-hole.
Ignore Labour's blushes.
Birmingham Council should request help through the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, and the Ministry of Defence should decide.
Best they get on and do it.
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