ilawrence@napo.org.uk's blog

In what must be the worst example of denial in the face of compelling empirical evidence that I have seen in a long time, the BBC decided to ignore the 50,000 people who assembled right outside their ivory tower (aka Broadcasting House) last Saturday, prior to the march through central London to the magnificent rally in Parliament Square.

Out on the stump

I have always thought that the best part of the job as an employee of a trade union is being able to get out and engage with members who pay your wages and are having to face the harsh realities of life at the front face. In all my long years in the trade union world I have never shirked that challenge and will stand my and Napo’s corner anywhere and anytime. I look forward to visiting Lancaster tomorrow for the inaugural Cumbria/ Lancashire AGM to add to my recent visits to members from London and Kent/Surrey/Sussex.

With the FIFA World Cup a matter of hours away it’s as good a time as any to contrast Napo’s chances of emerging victorious in our campaign to stop the TR share sale with those of the England football squad in Brazil. Cynics might suggest that there is no useful analogy as England (it is being widely suggested) will be home before the postcards. I think otherwise as I am a supreme optimist, but the laws of average say we will at least win a damn penalty shoot-out sometime, someday, won’t we?

The launch of the National Probation Service and the 21 Community Rehabilitation Companies has been accompanied by an array of corporate speak quotations from a number of the new CRC Chief Executives in their introductory messages. You know the ones: ‘innovative’, ‘challenging’ ‘exciting’, ‘huge opportunity’ etc. etc. etc.

The following is essentially the same content as appeared in my message to members last night but today, of all days, I cannot think that there is anything additional to say

Today represents a dark day in the history of the Probation Service. The fragmentation of a public institution that, over the course of 106 years, has helped to turn lives around and safeguarded local communities in a way that your predecessors originally intended and would have been proud of.

Members will by now be aware that Tom Rendon has decided to step down from his role as National Chair. I have replied to Tom on a personal basis and wished him well for the future. He has many talents and has made a major contribution to the life and fabric of the union.

I believe that the Napo Officer Group have themselves made a statement in response to Tom’s resignation which should be going out to all members later today.

Just listening to the opening debates at the PCS National Conference in Brighton this afternoon which follows the earlier decisions reached at the MOJ Group Conference which I was invited to over the last two days.

Last weekend’s furore over the missing millions that Education Secretary Michael Gove is reputed to have shifted into supporting his Free Schools project at the expense of much needed state places, bears a striking similarity to the position adopted by Mr Grayling as he pursues his own personal hubris in the form of his TR agenda.

The predictable furore following the abscondment of a life prisoner from an open prison is still at full flow this morning as politicians and pundits queue up to say how appalling it is that such a thing can happen.

I was feeling refreshed after the Easter break until about 08:00am Monday morning when I received a full briefing on what has been happening this last fortnight!