STH
There is always the potential for an organisation to be hijacked or politicised - you could argue that's exactly what Tony did to our forces today in Baghdad when they posed for yet another photo opportunity...however...
Perhaps the BAFF could lead the way in showing how representation should be done. Ironically our lack of Fed until now could allow us to get it right in these 'enlightened' times, learning from the FBU's and miner's mistakes.
As for it being a sorry day, I agree. But that day is here. People from all backgrounds are suffering from a lack of representation in issues ranging from wing foam to MQ tenancy agreements, capped actuals to Leaning. The Service hasn't got the resources to deal every issue, nor often the exposure to the right people to put at least some things right; I even occasionally get the feeling some of the critical pieces that make the headlines may even be welcomed some of the higher echelons, whose hands are often firmly bound.
But as a bottom line, is there much left to lose?