RICHARD LITTLEJOHN: With industrial action growing across the land, it's time ... trends now

There's been nothing like it since the Winter of Discontent in 1978/79. Unions are falling over each other to cause as much disruption as possible this Christmas. Maybe it's time to rewrite a favourite seasonal song...

On the first day of Christmas, The unions sent to me, A strike by the RMT. 

On the second day of Christmas, The unions sent to me, A walk-out by nurses, And a strike by the RMT. 

On the third day of Christmas, The unions sent to me, No London buses, A walk-out by nurses, And a strike by the RMT. 

On the fourth day of Christmas, The unions sent to me, No passport office, No London buses, A walk-out by nurses, And a strike by the RMT. 

On the fifth day of Christmas, The unions sent to me, No A&E! No passport office, No London buses, A walk-out by nurses, And a strike by the RMT. 

On the sixth day of Christmas, The unions sent to me, A dispute at the DVLC, No A&E! No passport office, No London buses, A walk-out by nurses, And a strike by the RMT. 

On the seventh day of Christmas, The unions sent to me, Another postal strike, No DVLC, No A&E! No passport office, No London buses, A walk-out by nurses, And a strike by the RMT.

On the eighth day of Christmas, Labour sent to me, A bill for school fees, plus VAT! Another postal strike, No DVLC, No A&E! No passport office, No London buses, A walk-out by nurses, And a strike by the RMT.

On the ninth day of Christmas, They were starting to take the 'P'..! No ambulances, Another postal strike, No DVLC, No A&E! No passport office, No London buses, A walk-out by nurses, And a strike by the RMT.