“The last government with any vestige of Socialism was that of Atlee. While he (Churchill) made a good leader during the was I for one am glad he lost in 1945. The Tories under him opposed the plan for the NHS and, as another Labour government did not surface till the 60s we would be in a very sorry state today were it not for Atlee. As for the unions the political parties also receive public funding for many of their campaigns so is it one rule for them and another for the rest of us?”

“@ Tommy Sampson, Bude - an intentional misinterpretation of my point I'm thinking, but amusing. To take up your own, whoever you have at the top of the governmental pyramid you have to protect. I doubt that Mr Sarcozy or Mr Obama are any cheaper do you? The issue as to whether in the case of the United Kingdom, it should be an hereditary monarchy or an elected politician is a separate debate. I for one am firmly of the opinion that our present arrangement, developed over at least a thousand years, may have its faults but that no better system immediately presents itself. We maintain a hugely respected, influential Head of State, insulated from the rough and tumble of party politics, yet devoid of actual power to decide policy. To paraphrase the Queen's own word "the system we have, for all its faults, seems to work". We interfere with the precarious balance between interests at our peril. It provides a ritual and sentimental continuity, stability, and unity that are hard to quantify but equally hard to put a value to and certainly worth the few bob we each contribute towards it. I can't think of a better person to do the onerous national and international job, can you?”

“Big Ger, you mention British Airways in your posting at 12.18, the current dispute is not about money, but about little Willie Walsh dictating terms without negotiations, I am sure the fact that little Willie takes home £743,000 a year has nothing to do with it.”

“:) You wicked girl Patricia. . I think you are just being argumentative. . I know we have been steadily burying Socialism since the war, but it has reared it's ugly head a few times since, only to be mortally wounded by Margaret Thatcher thank goodness, particularly after Harold Wilson's and Dennis Healey's shenanigans. . The thing about modern 'Socialists' like Bob Crow; they all enjoy the champagne lifestyle that capitalism affords them. . Give me Tony Benn any time. . I've always believed that in times of real strife like war, we need a coalition of the Left and Right. . They both care about our country. . It's the 'soggy centre' that has steadily lead us in this new 'European Soviet'. . Just control freaks; all of them.”

“Tim V, " Why has it taken so long to apply such good common sense across the board" I agree, the Royal's should pay for their own protection.”

“Given the choice, I would rather give ordinary worker's 2 million pounds (through their union) to help save their jobs, than giving the Royals 113 million for 12 months Police protection.”

“Charles I did not expect a reply,simply because there is not one, I, at 76 years of age cannot remember Britain under a Socialist Government, what I can,and do remember are so called Labour Governments carrying through Conservative policies.”

“I have no problem with there being staff representation, or that their position is protected by the law, but I do have a problem with it being subsidised out of tax. If workers are dedicated to a cause, why should they not do it in their own time and without payment? If payment is required the union members should meet the cost. John Lewis has proved the success of non-confrontational staff involvement based on shared interest. Why has it taken so long to apply such good common sense across the board?”

“:) Patricia my dear, you are such a pedant.

Here's a quote from your precious 'Guardian' for you.

"The basic Labour idea since the 1950s was that socialism was unnecessary, because a capitalist system could be relied on to flourish and to generate more wealth than any other. All socialists had to do was to ensure its equitable distribution. But since the 1970s the accelerating surge of globalisation made it more and more difficult and fatally undermined the traditional basis of the Labour party's, and indeed any social-democratic party's, support and policies. Many in the 1980s agreed that if the ship of Labour was not to founder, which was a real possibility at the time, it would have to be refitted."

Of course it took Blair and Mandelson to hammer the final nails. . It's just a shame they didn't take account of their chancellors incompetence. . Best Charles”

“Elliot, the only sector I believe where employers have been; "holding champagne party's to celebrate receiving multi million pounds by way of bonuses on top of 6 figure salarys," is the banking sector.

Have the bosses of the London underground where the unions have now called strike action been doing so? Were the bosses of British Airways doing so when the unions there called for strikes?

Care to give us some examples of where strike action has been called in response to such bonuses?”