Conference season to test Labour's mettle

Sunday, 7 September 2003 7:59 AM

The TUC annual conference in Brighton is being billed as a showdown between "awkward squad" left-wingers and advocates of the Government's changes to the nation's public services.

Labour's own party conference comes later in the month with Prime Minister Tony Blair seemingly assailed from all sides.

This year's conference season will surely test the mettle of the Labour government, whose popularity has been hit by the unpopular Iraq war, the continuing absence of weapons of mass destruction, a myriad of domestic issues including public service reforms, tuition fees, and, pivotally, the Dr David Kelly scandal.

Unions will challenge the efficacy of public private partnerships which allow private firms to run elements of the public services.

Also on the agenda for some unions is the continuing rollout of foundation hospitals, which some fear will lead to a two-tier health service.

Kevin Curran, leader of the GMB union, is likely to demand government action on safeguarding workers' rights, pensions and pay.

The GMB is likely to highlight pay and conditions differentials between staff and private sector contract workers.

Derek Simpson, joint general secretary of the engineering and professional union Amicus, will highlight the crisis in manufacturing and will suggest appointing a minister for manufacturing and a 35-hour week for workers in the industry.

In an interview with The Observer, Mr Simpson said Labour risked alienate its core membership if it pressed ahead with more privatisation of the public services: 'The Tories can't win the election, but Labour can lose it. It is only how pathetic Iain Duncan Smith is that stops me from being certain Labour will lose it. Can anyone explain to me why they are now head-to- head in the polls?

'I think it is little to do with Iraq. I have to say I think it is because Labour is not perceived to be doing the right things or listening. That is spilling support. Blair needs to change and policies need to change. The problem is, can it be done in time?

'I have said to Blair if you could do something about job security and pensions we would walk the next election. He says it is not so simple. I think it is, because it is not about delivering straight away, it is about convincing people that you are trying."

Leader of the RMT rail union, Bob Crow, will beseech government to bring the rail network back into public hands.

The Association of University Teachers is also likely to call for an end to the controversial top-up fees.

In an apparent attempt to pacify the TUC and some Labour party members, Downing Street last week announced it would hold a public services forum with union to consult on Government reforms.

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