Menu
12/09/2006
Blair faces union protesters
Tony Blair faced heckling from union activists as he made his last speech as Prime Minister to the TUC conference.
Members of the RMT rail union held up banners calling for Mr Blair to resign and he faced calls of 'Go now' from delegates.
A group of delegates, led by the union's general secretary Bob Crow, then marched out of the conference hall at the Brighton Centre.
Speaking after the walkout, Mr Crow said: "What is the point of listening to someone when you cannot believe a word they say?"
Mr Blair began his speech by paying tribute the military personnel killed in conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan and faced further heckling by union members over the troops' presence in those countries. However, he told the hecklers that they should be "proud" of what was being done to support democracies in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Mr Blair announced that he would step down as Prime Minister within a year last week.
Chancellor Gordon Brown, who is due to address union leaders at a private dinner on Tuesday night praised Mr Blair's speech and condemned those who walked out.
Also on Tuesday at the TUC conference, Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain announced plans to stand as a candidate to replace John Prescott as deputy leader of the Labour party.
Mr Hain's comments came as David Milliband told the BBC that he was not planning to run for the party's deputy leadership.
(KMcA)
Members of the RMT rail union held up banners calling for Mr Blair to resign and he faced calls of 'Go now' from delegates.
A group of delegates, led by the union's general secretary Bob Crow, then marched out of the conference hall at the Brighton Centre.
Speaking after the walkout, Mr Crow said: "What is the point of listening to someone when you cannot believe a word they say?"
Mr Blair began his speech by paying tribute the military personnel killed in conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan and faced further heckling by union members over the troops' presence in those countries. However, he told the hecklers that they should be "proud" of what was being done to support democracies in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Mr Blair announced that he would step down as Prime Minister within a year last week.
Chancellor Gordon Brown, who is due to address union leaders at a private dinner on Tuesday night praised Mr Blair's speech and condemned those who walked out.
Also on Tuesday at the TUC conference, Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain announced plans to stand as a candidate to replace John Prescott as deputy leader of the Labour party.
Mr Hain's comments came as David Milliband told the BBC that he was not planning to run for the party's deputy leadership.
(KMcA)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
10 June 2005
Blair calls for review of EU funding
Prime Minister Tony Blair has said he will not accept a reduction in Britain’s annual £3bn rebate from the European Union unless there is a debate about all EU funding.
Blair calls for review of EU funding
Prime Minister Tony Blair has said he will not accept a reduction in Britain’s annual £3bn rebate from the European Union unless there is a debate about all EU funding.
28 April 2004
Immigration review ordered days before EU enlargement
Mr Blair has issued a reassurance that Britain's borders have never been so secure, amid ordering a comprehensive review of immigration and asylum abuse just days before 10 nation states join the enlarged European Union.
Immigration review ordered days before EU enlargement
Mr Blair has issued a reassurance that Britain's borders have never been so secure, amid ordering a comprehensive review of immigration and asylum abuse just days before 10 nation states join the enlarged European Union.
09 September 2003
Blair backs draft EU constitution
Prime Minister Tony Blair has backed the controversial draft for a European Union constitution. In a White Paper foreword from Mr Blair, he advocated the draft treaty as the basis for a more effective European Union.
Blair backs draft EU constitution
Prime Minister Tony Blair has backed the controversial draft for a European Union constitution. In a White Paper foreword from Mr Blair, he advocated the draft treaty as the basis for a more effective European Union.
30 May 2003
Blair rounds on 'superstate' sceptics
Prime minister Tony Blair has rounded on Eurosceptics who he claimed are promulgating “absurd” stories in order to heighten concern about a federal Europe. Delivering a speech in Poland, Mr Blair said that the majority of Europe sees the European Union as a union of nations rather than a federal superstate.
Blair rounds on 'superstate' sceptics
Prime minister Tony Blair has rounded on Eurosceptics who he claimed are promulgating “absurd” stories in order to heighten concern about a federal Europe. Delivering a speech in Poland, Mr Blair said that the majority of Europe sees the European Union as a union of nations rather than a federal superstate.
14 September 2015
Parliament To Debate Trade Union Bill
The government's proposed Trade Union Bill is to undergo its second reading in the Commons today, during which MPs will debate the proposals.
Parliament To Debate Trade Union Bill
The government's proposed Trade Union Bill is to undergo its second reading in the Commons today, during which MPs will debate the proposals.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Rain clearing away east by early evening with some clear spells but a few showers likely to affect the North coast and other areas towards dawn, remaining breezy and mild overnight. Minimum temperature 9 °C.
