There is an unprecedented attack on the British Medical Association (BMA) and its members, but the resident (formerly junior) doctors have an entirely justifiable case. Their pay is lower than it was in real terms 15 years ago – according to independent analysis by Nuffield Trust, and jobs in the NHS are too few and far between despite the obvious and urgent demand for more doctors.

In recent weeks, the Health Secretary Wes Streeting has described the BMA as “a cartel”, “moaning minnies”, “juvenile delinquents”, and their strikes as “self-indulgent, irresponsible and dangerous” – quite the charge sheet, but for what purpose?

That isn’t the language of someone trying to resolve a dispute but to posture in the media. Streeting is trying to position himself as the next prime minister and in his own mind, he probably thinks he sounds tough.

The current Prime Minister has also been at it, “I’d appeal to the doctors themselves to push back against the BMA”, Keir Starmer told the Liaison Committee yesterday. The hoary old trope that workers are dupes manipulated by........

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