Surprise, surprise — Labour is reaping what it has sown

Like many people during last week’s Tube strike, | got caught in the pouring rain on my long walk to work. With almost all lines entirely suspended, many of us took to buses, bikes and the pavement to get around London.

- Jeremy Corbyn, The Independent

As much of the capital slowed to a standstill, the commute was a sharp reminder of just how much we rely on workers to keep this city running. | paid a visit to the picket line outside Seven Sisters station to offer my solidarity — and | spoke to staff who were seeking fairer working conditions, including a minor reduction in the working week. “They are not after a king’s ransom”, General Secretary Eddie Dempsey said. “But fatigue and extreme shift rotations are serious issue impacting on our members health and wellbeing.”

From the picket line, | headed to parliament — much of it on foot. Whenever | walk long distances through London, it is impossible not to feel shame at the scale of poverty and inequality that has come to characterise this city. For most of us, rain is a short inconvenience. We will soon be inside, warm and dry. For those sleeping rough on the streets, it compounds an already brutal existence.