D-I-V-O-R-C-E

BIG BOOKIES Ladbroke's, who are used to divorcing punters from their cash, recently opened a book on which 'celebrity couple' will be first to get a divorce. You can bet which B-list celebs, people such as Ashley Cole, Amy Winehouse or Peter Andre, will first untie the knot of matrimony with their partners.

One troubled marriage they don't mention is that between the organised working class in Britain's trade unions and the Labour Party that they set up. The unions would have a very strong case for citing infidelity because of Labour's infatuation with wealthy capitalists or cruelty for keeping wages down below inflation.

Research into reasons for divorce show that the percentage citing overwork has massively increased. No surprise there - British workers face the longest working week in Europe - not much time (or reason) to spend affection on New Labour. Emotional factors - such as non-communication and lack of attention - are the most commonly mentioned of all motives for divorce.

With striking oil workers, teachers, civil servants etc., showing their hatred of New Labour government policies, how long will it be before the unions start divorce proceedings and aim to support or form a new workers' party?