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Blears calls for Labour 'unity' Blears calls for Labour 'unity'
(about 2 hours later)
Labour chairwoman Hazel Blears has urged the party to regain its "sense of unity" ahead of its annual conference.Labour chairwoman Hazel Blears has urged the party to regain its "sense of unity" ahead of its annual conference.
The party has been hit by developments in the cash-for-honours probe and infighting over Tony Blair's departure.The party has been hit by developments in the cash-for-honours probe and infighting over Tony Blair's departure.
But Ms Blears said morale was not low as members headed to Manchester this weekend and there was no sense that the "end is nigh".But Ms Blears said morale was not low as members headed to Manchester this weekend and there was no sense that the "end is nigh".
It comes as a poll in the Guardian suggests two thirds of voters think the government has run out of steam.It comes as a poll in the Guardian suggests two thirds of voters think the government has run out of steam.
The public also think Conservative leader David Cameron would make a better prime minister than Gordon Brown, the ICM poll suggests.The public also think Conservative leader David Cameron would make a better prime minister than Gordon Brown, the ICM poll suggests.
This year's conference will be Mr Blair's last as Labour leader.This year's conference will be Mr Blair's last as Labour leader.
I think an election on the horizon has a remarkable effect on your discipline Hazel Blears Analysis: Blair's farewellI think an election on the horizon has a remarkable effect on your discipline Hazel Blears Analysis: Blair's farewell
Ms Blears said party members and MPs would want more than just a "show of unity" but to be "really united". 'Upbeat'
In an interview with the Times, she said: "That goes right from the top to the bottom of the party. That sense of unity will be absolutely key." In an interview with GMTV to be broadcast on Sunday, Ms Blears says the backdrop to the conference "is very unusual but it's also quite an exciting time for us".
She added: "For me, part of this test is whether we've got the governing gene in our DNA. She said she wanted to see "open" debate about the party's future policy direction.
"Do we really believe that Labour can be the natural party of government, or do we think that basically Tories rule but we come in every now and again as a bit of a change, but as an aberration, but the norm is a Tory government?" But in an interview with she said party members and MPs would want more than just a "show of unity" but to be "really united".
Tensions Ms Blears insisted the mood within Labour remained "upbeat", despite this week's revelation that biotech mogul Sir Christopher Evans - who lent the party £1m during last year's election campaign - had been arrested by police investigating the cash-for-honours affair.
Ms Blears said the mood within Labour remained "upbeat", despite this week's revelation that biotech mogul Sir Christopher Evans - who lent the party £1m during last year's election campaign - had been arrested by police investigating the cash-for-honours affair. Party funding
Labour's chairwoman also played down tensions between Mr Blair and Mr Brown over the leadership. "There is genuinely not a mood of low morale, that the end is nigh," she insisted.
She added that forthcoming tests at the ballot box - with May bringing local elections and crucial votes in Wales and Scotland - could be just what the party needed.She added that forthcoming tests at the ballot box - with May bringing local elections and crucial votes in Wales and Scotland - could be just what the party needed.
"I think an election on the horizon has a remarkable effect on your discipline and single-mindedness. It concentrates minds wonderfully," she said."I think an election on the horizon has a remarkable effect on your discipline and single-mindedness. It concentrates minds wonderfully," she said.
She confirmed leaked reports that Labour wants a cap on election spending of £15m and further caps on spending at national and local level. She also confirmed leaked reports that Labour wants a cap on election spending of £15m and further caps on spending at national and local level.
The proposals are contained in Labour's submission to the Sir Hayden Phillips' review of party funding.The proposals are contained in Labour's submission to the Sir Hayden Phillips' review of party funding.
If such measures were implemented, Ms Blears said, they would lessen the pressure to chase big donors, forcing party's to raise more funds at a local level.If such measures were implemented, Ms Blears said, they would lessen the pressure to chase big donors, forcing party's to raise more funds at a local level.
'Cosy cash'
Labour is due to debate the future of party funding on Monday, with Ms Blears expected to call for Labour to be given access to so-called "Short money".
This is the public money given to opposition parties - named after former Labour minister Ted Short who campaigned for its introduction - to help with research and campaigns.
Ms Blears said giving Labour - or whichever party was in power - access to Short money would create a "level playing field".
But Conservative chairman Francis Maude said he would fight such a move.
"Voters shouldn't be asked to contribute more towards the funding of parties without fundamental reform," said Mr Maude.
"By rejecting out of hand any change to the cosy cash for favours relationship between Labour and the unions, Hazel Blears has made that sort of reform very difficult."
Poll findingsPoll findings
The ICM poll published earlier by the Guardian will make grim reading for Labour strategists ahead of this weekend's conference.The ICM poll published earlier by the Guardian will make grim reading for Labour strategists ahead of this weekend's conference.
Some 64% of respondents said the government had run out of steam, while 69% thought it was the most divided party in the wake of infighting over Mr Blair's departure date.Some 64% of respondents said the government had run out of steam, while 69% thought it was the most divided party in the wake of infighting over Mr Blair's departure date.
A majority of 62% said Labour did not deserve to be re-elected. Asked who would make the best prime minister, 35% plumped for Mr Cameron, while 32% backed the current chancellor.A majority of 62% said Labour did not deserve to be re-elected. Asked who would make the best prime minister, 35% plumped for Mr Cameron, while 32% backed the current chancellor.
However, despite the negativity, Labour's overall support climbed by one percentage point to 32% - still four points behind the Tories on 36%.However, despite the negativity, Labour's overall support climbed by one percentage point to 32% - still four points behind the Tories on 36%.
ICM interviewed a random sample of 1,066 adults across the country by telephone on September 19 and 20. The results were weighted to fit the national profile.ICM interviewed a random sample of 1,066 adults across the country by telephone on September 19 and 20. The results were weighted to fit the national profile.