Week one was a win for the nurses. The government banked on public anger when they walked out, but instead public support rose. It must rattle No 10 when even the Express splashes front pages backing the nurses day after day: “Give nurses a deal and stop this madness,” screamed one. “For nurses, for Britain, sit down and sort this out,” another. Today, the paper quoted a poll showing that 68% of the public support their strike.
According to another new poll, 50% of voters want the government to negotiate with all of the public sector to pay them more, with just 23% backing implacability. Destined to climb down, the government would be wise to do it right now, as every week of escalating strikes exposes the inadequacy of Rishi Sunak’s response and brings more calls from Tory MPs for settlement.
