HIS PARTY, NOT THEIRS:

Blair plays it low-key as reality bites for unions (JAMES KIRKUP, 9/14/04, The Scotsman)

TRADE union leaders last night welcomed the limited promises offered in Tony Blair’s half-hearted speech to the TUC, despite rank-and-file members giving the Prime Minister a frosty reception.

Mr Blair delivered a sometimes blunt message to union members that he will not "go back to the agenda of the past" by compromising on the New Labour agenda or unpicking the legal changes of the Thatcher era. His audience responded with a seated ovation that lasted barely 20 seconds.

But, in a gesture that owes more to the impending general election than to any new-found warmth for Mr Blair, the main union leaders chose to focus on the Prime Minister’s pledges on a range of second-tier issues, including boosting holiday allowances, encouraging flexible working for people caring for elderly or disabled relatives, and creating a new offence of corporate manslaughter.

Mr Blair also promised to honour a deal to incorporate union views into the Labour manifesto at the next election, and even partly encouraged workers to join unions, though only "if you want to".

Tony Blair was never better explained than by this one line: "You have to remember that the great passion in Tony's life is his hatred of the Labour Party."

Posted by Orrin Judd at September 14, 2004 7:25 AM