WHEN THE GOING GETS TOUGH...

Just a week on, the enlightened self-interest that prompted all sections of Construction to welcome the Latham Report has begun to evaporate. In the light of many sceptical mutterings at Monday's Latham conference, the mood of initial receptiveness has already changed. It now looks considerably less enlightened, and a lot more self-interested.

This transformation was inevitable - and need not prove fatal if the bravest members of construction can gather more support than was apparent on Monday.

Realistically, the euphoria that surrounded last week's Latham launch could never survive the detailed nit-picking to which any fundamental proposals for change must, quite rightly, be submitted.

It is precisely because this is a faction-ridden industry, with powerful commercial interests at stake, that Sir Michael has adopted his 'all or nothing' strategy. He knew as he nailed to the door his version of the 95 theses, attempting the Construction industry's reformation, that his proposals must be accepted as a seamless webb and taken whole. As a good Conservative and a Shakespearian to boot, he observed the highest credo of his party: 'Take but degree away, untune that string, and hark what discord follows: each thing meets in mere oppugnancy.'

If pay-when-paid proposals are defeated by main contractor interests, then specialists and subcontractors will not play ball when their turn to make concessions arrives.

RICS president Roy Swanston recognised this when he remarked on Monday: 'All parties must compromise.' And so did Ian Dixon, who deserves enormous credit for his public acceptance of all 30 of Sir Michael's recommendations.

Unless this spirit spreads more widely, it will prove all too easy for the Government to renege on its legislative commitments - so silkily entered into 12 months ago, but already equally silkily being sloughed off in the face of less than unanimous industry accord over the details.

Without legislation, it is not clear whether Latham will succeed. Dixon believes the industry can achieve as much as 80% of its aims without Parliamentary assistance. Others insist that without it, Latham will come to equal no more than Banwell.

Latham himself must believe legislation is essential, or he would not have wasted time suggesting it. The most encouraging fact, therefore, to emerge from a rather flat day at QEII was his acceptance of the role of chief implementer of his own report. It is as well that he has not walked away - as would have been all too easy to do. He knows that for all his labours to date, the hard work is only just beginning. Personal pride will ensure that Latham continues to drive this report forward. Many clients, including a 'best practice' Government will support him. But he needs all the help he can get from the Swanstons and Dixons of this world. Enlightened self-interest is still the key.