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The first two posts are naïve in the extreme. The purpose of the protocol is threefold and is absolutely not an end of the strike.

1. whilst there is chaos in the mags and police stations it is clear that Gove doesn't care. He doesn't care because it doesn't make the pages of the daily mail or other main stream news. This is because people including Gove don't care what happens to petty criminals. They care about murderers and rapists etc who appear in the crown court. So an effective strategy must target these types of cases.

2. Gove knows that if we don't do any PS or Mags work - we will all go bankrupt if we continue this indefinitely and he is prepared to allow that to happen [after all he want's consolidation]. Its a game of chicken which we will inevitably lose. The position is particularly desperate for the freelancers who rely on this income and have none for the last 3 weeks. This strategy makes it easier for solicitors to remain united to avoid bankruptcy at least in the sort to medium term and combat the poachers. It is for the long haul and affects the type of work will genuinely worry the MOJ [because it will get them negative publicity].

3. It removes our reliance on the criminal bar. Whilst it would be better for them to be with us - if they aren't - well there won't be any new legal aid rep orders for new work so they won't be able to appear and break the strike like the did last year. It puts our own destiny back in our own hands. I would urge them to remain with us though - we are much stronger together.