This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk_politics/5340380.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Brown stands by NHS reform plans Brown 'stands by NHS reform plan'
(about 5 hours later)
Gordon Brown has told union chiefs he would refuse to reverse Tony Blair's NHS reforms. Chancellor Gordon Brown is said to have told union chiefs he would refuse to reverse Tony Blair's NHS reforms.
The chancellor was addressing a private dinner at the TUC conference in Brighton, after Mr Blair had delivered his platform speech to union delegates. Mr Brown was addressing a private dinner at the TUC conference in Brighton, after Mr Blair had delivered his platform speech to union delegates.
Mr Brown's aides say he supported the current reform agenda in his speech, despite attacks by the unions. Mr Brown's aides say he supported the current reform agenda in his speech.
Transport union boss Tony Woodley praised Mr Brown's "unifying" message, but some others were less impressed. Transport union boss Tony Woodley praised Mr Brown's "unifying" message, but the GMB's Paul Kenny said fears remained on privatisation of services.
'Renewing the NHS''Renewing the NHS'
The prime minister and chancellor take it in turns each year to give the TUC platform address and union leaders' private dinner speech.The prime minister and chancellor take it in turns each year to give the TUC platform address and union leaders' private dinner speech.
Mr Brown's team portrayed his speech as a show of unity with the prime minister, who faced a walkout from about 20 rail union delegates over his stance on "privatising public services".Mr Brown's team portrayed his speech as a show of unity with the prime minister, who faced a walkout from about 20 rail union delegates over his stance on "privatising public services".
Members of public service union Unison have also decided to stage the first national strike in the NHS for nearly 20 years in protest at the service's supply arm being sold off.Members of public service union Unison have also decided to stage the first national strike in the NHS for nearly 20 years in protest at the service's supply arm being sold off.
There remains the thorny issue of privatisation and we are miles apart on that issue Paul KennyGMB
And the TUC conference has voiced anger at the use of private firms to run hospitals and treatment centres.And the TUC conference has voiced anger at the use of private firms to run hospitals and treatment centres.
But aides say the chancellor made clear in his speech that investment had to be coupled with reform to keep a health service free to all at the point of need. Ahead of the speech, aides said Mr Brown would say: "I urge all to support Tony Blair in what he said about our reforms in health so that we can show that a universal health service free to all at the point of need is renewed and reinvigorated through reform to serve the British people.
Mr Brown spoke without notes, saying he was fully committed to the goal of full employment. "For the British people the best insurance policy in the world, but also a beacon of hope to the rest of the world, that the way forward for the future of developing countries will also be universal health care like ours."
Giving a broad sweep through the history of the Labour movement, he said its mission was still the abolition of poverty. Some at the dinner cast doubt on the idea that Mr Brown had backed the reforms in such forthright terms in what was an unscripted speech.
And he urged people not to be afraid of change. But they said he had praised Mr Blair for an "excellent speech".
The chancellor's aides say he made clear that investment had to be coupled with reform to keep a health service free to all at the point of need.
They said he also said he had made clear he was fully committed to the goal of full employment.
Mr Brown said the labour movement's mission was still the abolition of poverty.
'Manufacturing has a future''Manufacturing has a future'
Mr Brown is also said to have echoed Mr Blair's appeal for Britons to be "strong, not scared" in the face of the challenge of globalisation.Mr Brown is also said to have echoed Mr Blair's appeal for Britons to be "strong, not scared" in the face of the challenge of globalisation.
He argued that British manufacturing could have a strong future if there was investment in the skills needed to compete in a global market place. He was said to have argued that British manufacturing could have a strong future if there was investment in the skills needed to compete in a global market place.
Mr Woodley, leader of the Transport and General Workers Union, said he was stunned.Mr Woodley, leader of the Transport and General Workers Union, said he was stunned.
"I have just seen a speech that I have not seen equalled from a trade union leader in our country for a number of years, a guy who has put out a vision on his ideas for our country," he told BBC News."I have just seen a speech that I have not seen equalled from a trade union leader in our country for a number of years, a guy who has put out a vision on his ideas for our country," he told BBC News.
"But at the same time it was a unifying and uniting speech, making plain the difference between a Labour government and a David Cameron Conservative government.""But at the same time it was a unifying and uniting speech, making plain the difference between a Labour government and a David Cameron Conservative government."
But Mr Woodley said he was not ready to endorse Mr Brown's leadership ambitions.But Mr Woodley said he was not ready to endorse Mr Brown's leadership ambitions.
"What we need is substance now on top of that speech," he said."What we need is substance now on top of that speech," he said.
'Disappointing''Disappointing'
For some union leaders, it appears to have been the difference in Mr Brown's tone to Mr Blair's speech that they found persuasive.For some union leaders, it appears to have been the difference in Mr Brown's tone to Mr Blair's speech that they found persuasive.
One said: "It's amazing how you can say the same things and have a completely different effect."One said: "It's amazing how you can say the same things and have a completely different effect."
But Mark Serwotka, from the Public and Commercial Services union, said: "What was significant and disappointing to me was that whilst he talked about big picture international issues, he didn't deal with any of the issues that had dominated this conference."But Mark Serwotka, from the Public and Commercial Services union, said: "What was significant and disappointing to me was that whilst he talked about big picture international issues, he didn't deal with any of the issues that had dominated this conference."
And Mr Kenny, general secretary of the GMB union, said Mr Brown had appeared very relaxed and delivered a confident and polished performance.
"However, in content terms there remains the thorny issue of privatisation and we are miles apart on that issue," said Mr Kenny.
The speeches come after Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain said he would stand in the race to become Labour's deputy leader.The speeches come after Northern Ireland Secretary Peter Hain said he would stand in the race to become Labour's deputy leader.
Mr Hain, who says Mr Brown should be the next prime minister, says Labour needs to reconnect with its grass roots.Mr Hain, who says Mr Brown should be the next prime minister, says Labour needs to reconnect with its grass roots.