PM hears plea over street parties

12th January 2011

Councils should make it easier for people to close streets and hold parties to celebrate the forthcoming royal wedding and 2012 Olympics, the prime minister has said.

Following a warning from trade unions threatening strike action on April 29, David Cameron also told the Commons he would be prepared to strengthen union laws.

He said he felt legislation introduced in the 1980s was "working well" but added he did not want to see a "wave of irresponsible strikes".

During prime ministers questions, Stephen Metcalfe (Con, South Basildon and East Thurrock) called for a relaxation of rules by local councils to make it easier to close roads to hold street parties to celebrate the forthcoming Royal Wedding.

Cameron said: "I know that, outside some of the large trade unions that fund the party opposite, everyone else wants to have a real celebration for the Olympics, for the Diamond Jubilee and for the royal wedding.

"Yes, I think we should certainly make it easier for people to close streets and have street parties."

In other exchanges, Richard Ottaway (Con, Croydon South) said the right to strike is an "important one and the hallmark of a free society".

He asked if the prime minister will change the rules governing strikes in the public sector so that a majority of members have to vote.

In response, Cameron said: "I know there is a strong case being made, not least by my colleague the Mayor of London, for this sort of change. I am very happy to look at the arguments for it because I want to ensure we have a fair body of union law in this country."

The prime minister told MPs he believes the current union rules of the 1980s work well, but that his is happy to look at the argument for changing them as he does not want to see strikes cause havoc in the public sector.

Cameron and Mayor of London Boris Johnson had warned union leaders earlier today that striking during the Olympics would damage the economy and the country's reputation.

In a joint article for the Sun, the Conservative politicians feared disruption during the 2012 games after Tube drivers threatened to strike on the day of Prince William and Kate Middleton's nuptials.

"Our message to these union leaders is very clear: you can try to drag this country back to the 1970s, to a time when militants held our country to ransom, but you will not succeed," they said.

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