Gloucestershire’s phlebotomists have brought their historic strike to a close after almost a year of action, leaving a legacy of determination – and a clear lesson about the power of solidarity in the face of anti-union laws and austerity, says FBU general secretary STEVE WRIGHT
CLEMENT ATTLEE’S Labour government introduced legal aid in 1949 through the Legal Aid and Advice Act in order to provide legal advice and representation for those who could not afford it.
Attlee viewed legal aid as a cornerstone of the new welfare state. The aim was “to provide legal advice for those of slender means and resources, so that no-one would be financially unable to prosecute a just and reasonable claim or defend a legal right; and to allow counsel and solicitors to be remunerated for their services.”
This objective recognised that the aim of justice is to give everyone their due and a fundamental purpose of the law is to prevent the strong from always having their way.
PCS members face dangerous working conditions in crumbling buildings while the Common Platform IT system obstructs rather than streamlines operations — and Labour’s promised wave of insourcing has not materialised, writes SHARON McLEAN
ANSELM ELDERGILL examines the government’s proposals to further limit the right of citizens to trial by jury



