Iain Duncan Smith has exclusively told Nigel Farage “we are dealing with hardcore socialists who just want to break the Government” during a discussion over rail strikes.
Around 40,000 members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union at Network Rail and 13 train operators have walked out in dispute over pay, jobs and conditions.
The strikes have affected train travel across the country today and is also expected to cause further disruption in the coming days.
Iain Duncan Smith and Nigel Farage
GB News
And Mr Duncan Smith believes the unions wanted to “chance their arm” given the Government’s current position, before adding they have “completely misjudged” the situation.
Speaking on GB News’ Farage, Mr Duncan Smith told Nigel: “I think the Government is resolved not to cave in to the unions, this is a fight that has been coming for a little while, the trade unions have been threatening this.
“I think they think, given what’s been going on recently in parliament, I think they think they can chance their arm because they think the Government’s in a weak position.
Mr Duncan Smith in discussion with Nigel
GB News
“I personally think they have misjudged this completely, because I think this will strengthen public opinion, the public do not like this, they don’t like their lives being interfered with in this regard.
“It’s quite clear that the rail unions are refusing to make the kind of productivity changes they should do, they’re still working in out practises that date back in some cases to the 1950s.
“Every other industry has long since moved on but we are dealing with hardcore socialists who just want to break the Government.”
He continued: “The view of the Government is that this is a matter that needs to be settled by those who are responsible for running the network and those that are representatives of them.
“They say they can do it, they should doit.
“If they step in, then immediately it makes it look like a significant crisis and the Government is worried.
“The Government has to avoid looking like they are scared or panicky.”