Testing times at the TUC

A trip down memory lane for this post.

The Trade Union's Congress meets this week in Liverpool. It hasn't visited the city since 1906, despite the city being the epicentre for union movements during the 80s and early 90s. Indeed, Liverpool has proved a fascinating example with respect to Trade Unions; playing an active role in the most militant of unions as well as demonstrating a way to restrain union militancy.

We learn today, by the likes of none less than the TUC's leader, that the relationship between the Unions and their ultimate political masters, the Labour Party, is wearing thin.

Allow me to be clear, ignoring those who have elected out of the 'political levy', as is their right, Labour face an increase challenge now from within their own traditional support base as the Unions (which heavily fund the party) look to the question of their members' economic recovery and future prosperity.

It was Tony Blair's shining moment, Clause 4, to distance New Labour from the Unions. Indeed, the expectation that the arrival of Gordon Brown would signal a new re-engagement with unions and the party were high. Brown's 100 day plan (which ultimately went dramatically tits up) made a provision for appearing to move closer to the wishes of the Unions. But, let us not forgot, Brown is an architect of the New Labour movement. So, the firing shots from across the bowels of a disenchanted TUC today, should hardly came as a surprise to those in Downing St.

Essentially, Labour faces a difficult act in what is likely to be their dying days of office. Do they accept the predictions of a Tory landslide and move much more closer to the 'easier' position of opposition, allowing them to take a more tradition stance and attack the 'greedy city bankers' and insist of the need for public sector spending. Or, as polling data suggests, do they favour the much more 'Middle England' expectation, pledging to cut public spending and reign in public debt with higher taxes.

This last position, likely to affect TUC members the most, is where Labour faces their pressing challenge: how do you convince people likely to be worse off by your short-term actions that it's ultimately in their interest to vote for you?

So news today that Gordon is heading to Liverpool to 'speak directly' to the TUC and 'show them' is hardly likely to anyone any favours, least of all Gordon.