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Union leaders decry Labour battle Union leaders decry Labour battle
(30 minutes later)
Union leaders have hit out at the leadership battle within the Labour party on the eve of the TUC conference in Brighton.Union leaders have hit out at the leadership battle within the Labour party on the eve of the TUC conference in Brighton.
TUC chief Brendan Barber warned that last week's events had damaged the party and called for stability.TUC chief Brendan Barber warned that last week's events had damaged the party and called for stability.
Meanwhile, rail union leader Bob Crow cast doubt on Chancellor Gordon Brown's leadership agenda.Meanwhile, rail union leader Bob Crow cast doubt on Chancellor Gordon Brown's leadership agenda.
He said Mr Brown was committed to privatisation and buying more Trident nuclear weapons.He said Mr Brown was committed to privatisation and buying more Trident nuclear weapons.
Mr Crow, general secretary of the RMT union, said he would be glad to see the back of Tony Blair.Mr Crow, general secretary of the RMT union, said he would be glad to see the back of Tony Blair.
But he also voiced concern over Mr Brown's priorities: "At a time of trying to find £20 billion pounds for new Trident, we would want the £20 billion given to the pensioners, decent schooling, and decent education - and also about providing a decent National Health Service."But he also voiced concern over Mr Brown's priorities: "At a time of trying to find £20 billion pounds for new Trident, we would want the £20 billion given to the pensioners, decent schooling, and decent education - and also about providing a decent National Health Service."
The upper echelons of the party have spent the past week wrangling over a date when Mr Blair should step down as leader and who should replace him.The upper echelons of the party have spent the past week wrangling over a date when Mr Blair should step down as leader and who should replace him.
The prime minister and the chancellor will address the TUC - which represents 66 unions and nearly seven million workers - on Tuesday and face questions from union delegates.The prime minister and the chancellor will address the TUC - which represents 66 unions and nearly seven million workers - on Tuesday and face questions from union delegates.
Ongoing concernsOngoing concerns
TUC general secretary Mr Barber said the Labour party must renew itself to "reconnect with voters" and called on a "stable and orderly transition to a new leadership".TUC general secretary Mr Barber said the Labour party must renew itself to "reconnect with voters" and called on a "stable and orderly transition to a new leadership".
"The Party must avoid the narcissism of small differences," he said."The Party must avoid the narcissism of small differences," he said.
Mr Barber made the comments launching a report into the exploitation of an estimated five million British workers. Mr Barber made the comments launching a report into the alleged exploitation of an estimated five million British workers.
The leadership of the party has been tearing itself apart Unison chief Dave PrentisThe leadership of the party has been tearing itself apart Unison chief Dave Prentis
Dave Prentis, general secretary of Unison, the largest union in the UK, described the last few days of the Labour party as like a "soap opera".Dave Prentis, general secretary of Unison, the largest union in the UK, described the last few days of the Labour party as like a "soap opera".
"The leadership of the party has been tearing itself apart. People are putting their own interests first - giant egos caring more about reputations that the lives of people.""The leadership of the party has been tearing itself apart. People are putting their own interests first - giant egos caring more about reputations that the lives of people."
Mark Serwotka, general secretary of the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS), hoped a new leader of the Labour party would change direction.Mark Serwotka, general secretary of the Public and Commercial Services Union (PCS), hoped a new leader of the Labour party would change direction.
"If there is not a fundamental reappraisal of policies it will do nothing to resolve problems we are facing," said Mr Serwotka."If there is not a fundamental reappraisal of policies it will do nothing to resolve problems we are facing," said Mr Serwotka.