Labour MP Barry Sheerman said he was dismayed by the behaviour of some delegates at the National Union of Teachers' conference in Cardiff, who jeered and held up placards when the education secretary, David Blunkett, addressed them. But it was flatly rejected by the NUT and the Liberal Democrats. Mr Sheerman condemned teacher unions for backing a joint motion threatening industrial action if the government failed to hold a full inquiry on pay and conditions. They want to be treated with respect, But some of their behaviour makes the National Union of Students look statesmanlike. At a time when so much effort has been made to improve the status and respect of the teaching profession, we have the annual ghastly ritual of the conference season giving such a negative impression of teachers.
Industrial action is there as a last resort.