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Mr Blair is expected to include the idea in the party's manifesto at the next general election although it

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Mr Blair is expected to include the idea in the party's manifesto at the next general election, although it will be bitterly fought by many unions.Some constituency party delegates also complained about "strong-arm tactics" by the unions to railroad the conference. The unions' hard line reflects their disenchantment with important areas of government policy, especially public services.One minister said: "The gang of four have shown they want to return to a 1970s-style oppositionism. That is bound to have implications, and we will have to consider them."Some Blair aides said the row would strengthen the case for the introduction of state funding of political parties, a move that could cut Labour's financial links with the unions. They claim the unions have refused to take part in the traditional "horse trading" with party officials and ministers. The unions hit back last night, launching a campaign to "reclaim the party" at a fringe meeting in Bournemouth.Labour officials say that an unprecedented degree of co-ordination between the "big four" - Unison, the Transport and General Workers (T&G), the GMB and Amicus - has dictated much of the agenda at this week's conference. Tony Blair's allies declared war on the "awkward squad" of trade union leaders yesterday in a move that reopened the debate about links between the Labour Party and its union founders. After the large unions combined to inflict a conference defeat on the Government's plans for foundation hospitals, ministers and Blair aides accused them of behaving "like a cartel" and being out of touch with their members. in the sea of troubles in which Britain and the Labour Party now finds itself."I do think it was like a Nuremberg rally and in fact the leader's speech had a lot of the leader principle, the Fuhrer principle, about it."Asked if he was equating Mr Blair to Adolf Hitler, he said: "No, but I'm equating the Labour Party conference these days with a Ceausescu-ish desire to suppress any sign of political life and to subjugate the party and its democracy to a kind of follow-the-leader idea."I think it's entirely alien to Britain, it's entirely alien to the Labour Party and I don't think it will go on for very much longer, for these were the only 2,000 people in Britain who really feel that way about Tony Blair.".

He said the Bournemouth conference was "rigged".Of the Prime Minister's speech on Tuesday, he said: "I think it was the only 2,000 people in the whole country who would have cheered Tony Blair ... Alastair Campbell may have gone but spin is here to stay."But Labour denied its Old Queen Street seminars were attempts to brainwash party members. "They are just one-day events where delegates have a chance to have the issues explained to them,"a Labour spokesman said.Meanwhile George Galloway compared the Labour Party's conference to a "Nuremberg rally". The controversial Glasgow MP, speaking on BBC Scotland's Holyrood Live programme, said the conference was "stuffed full of apparatchiks" and that their job was to bring the crowd to an "orgiastic climax" on the US political convention model.Mr Galloway was suspended by the party in May for his comments about the war in Iraq but insisted he stood by everything he had said before, during and after the war. We were told by a press officer that after Tony Blair's speech if the press noticed we were not standing during the ovation we would be approached by the media and asked about Tony Blair's speech." They were told to "say it was wonderful".Fee-paying schools are among those sending sixth-formers to the conference.Mark Oaten, chairman of the Liberal Democrat parliamentary party, attacked the tactics, saying: "Labour's control freak and spin instincts are alive and kicking in Bournemouth. Delegates to the conference said party managers had attempted to "brainwash" them into shows of support for the Government and Tony Blair.They travelled to sessions at the party's London headquarters in Old Queen Street last month and were told to say Tony Blair's speech was "wonderful" if asked by the media.Audrey Gardner, an active party member for more than 35 years, was also given a lecture by Stephen Ladyman, a Health minister, on the advantages of foundation hospitals in an abortive attempt to forestall a delegates' revolt."I went to the seminar," Ms Morgan said "It was the brainwashing session. She added: "It won't change the party's image as being anti-young people.

With policies such as tuition fees and the antisocial behaviour Bill it's ironic they are inviting young people to the conference so it looks good."I am an old Labour supporter and I am not a fan of New Labour. I prefer Gordon Brown to Tony Blair."The visit by about 250 sixth-formers will be made on the day David Blunkett is expected to criticise yobbish behaviour among young people.But Labour, which claims to have renounced spin and control-freakery, has not succumbed entirely to an obsession with youth. But I wouldn't vote Labour, my views would tend to be more to the right I am not a fan of Blair although I supported the war. I don't agree with Gordon Brown but I know what he stands for," she said.Her classmate Jasmine Rouf, said she was interested to see what the conference was like but she thought it was a "stunt". Labour was accused of trying to manipulate the public by pretending that the youngsters, aged 16 to 18, were the fresh face of young Labour. Zo?later, a 17-year-old from Highcliffe comprehensive in Christchurch, said she had no intention of supporting Labour and that she preferred the Conservatives."I am sure this is a scheme to have a young face of Labour at the conference.

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