Mass 'bobby lobby' being contemplated

Federation representatives up and down the country are considering whether it is time for a mass 'bobby lobby' of the Government over police pay, Police Review has learnt.

It is understood there is a growing support among local federations across England and Wales for some form of mass protest by officers outside the Houses of Parliament.

Police Review sources have confirmed the idea was given serious consideration at last week's meeting of federation chairs and secretaries, although no firm decision was made.

One person at the meeting said "When we talked about pay it seemed there is not much appetite for the right to go on strike. But the general feeling was that we want it to be recognised that we have no right to strike."

The last 'bobby lobby' took place in 2002, when more than 10,000 police officers came to Westminster to lobby MPs over the Government's proposals for pay and conditions and police reform.

Another source, also at last week's meeting, said "As police are seen as the last line of defence, if we were to fight for the right to strike, we would lose public sympathy. It is about making the point that we have not got the right to strike."

The 2007 police officer pay rises are to be decided by arbitration on 2 November after the Staff and Official sides of the Police Negotiating Board failed to come to an agreement over the summer. The Staff Sides's claim is for a 3.94 per cent pay increase while the Official Side offered 2.325 per cent. Home Secretary Jacqui Smith is not bound by the arbiter's decision.

Both sources from the federation's chairs and secretaries meeting confirmed that there seemed to be 'a lot of support' fro some form of mass lobbying of Government.

The national federation is understood to be considering what percentage of each force would need turn up to ensure any demonstration would have big enough impact.

All I have to say on this matter is "When and what time?"