The general secretary of the RMT union confronted and defeated all comers, politicians and journalists. Now he has become a thorn in Boris Johnson’s side, writes Sean O’Grady.

A senior Labor official has hardened the party’s stance ahead of a ‘summer of discontent’ over wage cuts by saying it does not ‘support strikes’ – sparking a backlash.

David Lammy, the shadow secretary of state for foreign affairs, said he “categorically” did not support a walkout by BA check-in staff, rejecting their call for a 10% pay rise.

Calling it ‘very sad that a union is calling on its members to speak out’, Mr Lammy also said: ‘I don’t support strikes’, before adding: ‘I support the right to strike of course’.

Christmas gifts could be affected by the series of rail strikes due to supply chain disruption, months before the festive season.

According to reports, more than 600 freight trains run across the UK every day, carrying goods such as televisions, clothing and decorations.

“As the year progresses, cargo is getting busier and busier, especially containers, so that’s a big concern. China’s surge will come – and those ships are sailing now. It always gets busier in August, especially when we start to see some Christmas stuff coming in,” said one industry figure. The mirror as told.

Labor MP Nadia Whittome has donated £2,000 to the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union strike fund.

“These railway workers are paving the way for all workers. They are the ones who need a pay rise, not MPs,” Ms Whittome said.

Scottish Labor leader Anas Sarwar said the railway strikes were “entirely the work of the British government”.

“It is important to show solidarity with the strikers on the picket lines and it is important to recognize that this is a crisis entirely attributable to the UK government,” Mr Sarwar told Channel 4.

“The workers don’t want to strike, the unions don’t want to strike, the public doesn’t want to strike, and everyone is demanding better from this government. And I think Grant Shapps needs to stop playing political games, stop the culture war here, get around the table and get a deal (sic). »

Brandon Lewis has been criticized for referring to train drivers’ wages while discussing the RMT rail strike – just a day after Prime Minister Boris Johnson did the same.

The Northern Ireland Secretary appeared on Sky’s Sophy Ridge On Sunday where he said train drivers earn between £56,000 and £70,000.

He added that the dispute – which sparked industrial action on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday – is a “problem between the employer and the unions” and that people want to see a resolution.

Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union general secretary Mick Lynch has asked Grant Shapps to “moderate the rhetoric and keep working” to settle the ongoing dispute.

“So if Grant Shapps wants to be constructive, that’s what he can do. He needs to tone down the rhetoric and get on with his job, which is to settle this dispute,” the union boss said on Saturday.

Earlier the Transport Secretary accused the union of ‘harming people’s lives’ after thousands of commuters were hit by three days of industrial action last week.

welcome to The Independents live blog about the aftermath of the UK’s biggest rail strike in over three decades.