Jonathan Oliver, Political Editor
Download 'Too Hot', an exclusive Specials track from iTunes
Trade union leaders are ready to drop their support for Gordon Brown’s leadership if he refuses demands to relax the laws on strike action.
The general secretary of one of Britain’s big three unions claimed to have held informal talks with the prime minister’s potential successors. “As they say in the movie, it’s not personal it’s just business,” said the union leader quoting The Godfather, the 1972 film about the mafia.
The attack comes ahead of a three-day summit where the unions, who provide almost 90% of Labour’s funding, will make 130 demands, including loosening the rules on strike ballots and ending privatisation of public services.
Brown will seek to block most of the demands when they are presented on Friday to Labour’s national policy forum at Warwick University. A Labour source said: “We govern in the interests of the whole government – not just one section.”
Union leaders said that if they were outmanoeuvred this week they would continue their battle at the autumn conference in Manchester.
If Brown still refuses compromise, some union leaders say they could work with hostile MPs to bring about a Downing Street coup.
Derek Simpson, joint general secretary of Unite, said Brown could no longer count on his support. “There is a long way to go to reestablish Labour’s credentials with the voters,” he said.

Sam Coates's blog about Westminster, politics and spin
Win a luxury weekend to Newcastle and its neighbour Gateshead, find out more here
Risk, resilience and embracing new technology
Industry sectors news at a glance. Interactive heatmap, video and podcast
Discover the power of collective thinking. Submit a solution and be in with a chance to win a Media Hub Home Entertainment System
The inside track on current trends in the charity, not for profit and social enterprise sectors
Everything the Business Traveller needs to know to make a better trip
Make the most of the summer and enter our fabulous photographic competition, you could win a £5000 holiday
Corsica is an island of beauty and contrast, an ideal holiday destination
Enjoy further reading from Travel to Fashion, Business to Sport, discover more
Shortcuts to help you find sections and articles
The clever way to lease a new car is with Car leasing made simple™
2009
per month on 36-month
Personal Contract Hire (PCH)
2008
42850
Car Insurance
£24,250 - £30,346
MI5
London
£60,000
The Environment Agency
Bristol
Up to £90K
Boots
Midlands
OTE £85k
Credit Protection Association
Nationwide Opportunities
Completely London
Luxury Condo's in Manhattan with NYC views
The best new homes in Wimbledon?
Nationwide
Fabulous Cruise And Cruise & Stay Offers Including Virgin Atlantic Flights Prices Start From Only £699pp!
Last Minute Cruise And Cruise & Stay Offers. Med From £499pp, Caribbean From £699pp!
5 star quality at a 3 star price.
8 fabulous Canadian cities ...you won’t find cheaper
Contact our advertising team for advertising and sponsorship in Times Online, The Times and The Sunday Times, or place your advertisement.
Times Online Services: Dating | Jobs | Property Search | Used Cars | Holidays | Births, Marriages, Deaths | Subscriptions | E-paper
News International associated websites: Globrix Property Search | Property Finder | Milkround
Copyright 2009 Times Newspapers Ltd.
This service is provided on Times Newspapers' standard Terms and Conditions. Please read our Privacy Policy.To inquire about a licence to reproduce material from Times Online, The Times or The Sunday Times, click here.This website is published by a member of the News International Group. News International Limited, 1 Virginia St, London E98 1XY, is the holding company for the News International group and is registered in England No 81701. VAT number GB 243 8054 69.
Its the economy stupid. I care not about whether its Brown or Cameron as long as he is the one who can make this whole economic debacle transparent, prosecute where necessary, and guarantee that this sort of credit crisis will never happen again and not to run our economy based on spending and debt.
Glynn, Kingston,
The unions know that public sector job cuts are on the way, as it is one of the most viable ways to reduce the national debt (along with cutting back military expenditure), hence they are gearing up for strike action. In any case, what is there left to privatise except the loss-making Royal Mail?
Paul, Coventry,
Here comes the Winter of Discontent .2
M.J., london, uk
if GB stands up to the unions and sorts out these wild, feral kids he has my vote
N. Bostock, chester, cheshire
Brown should insist that the proposed changes are put to a vote of Union members. That will kill them stone dead in the same way that democratising strike decisions led to a massive reduction in strikes.
Ron, Cambridge,
A Labour source said: We govern in the interests of the whole government not just one section.
just about sums it up - not the country, but the interests of nulab
ben, sussex, United Kingdom
If Brown succumbs to this pressure. Labour will never be trusted again.
steve tea, manchester, cheshire
There is a long way to go to reestablish Labours credentials with the voters, he said.
You are, Sir, having a Giraffe.
ronnie, bucks, UK
Anyone hear the 70's calling back for their stupid politics? Personally I'd gladly give it back!
Chris Smith, Surrey, UK
anything to sytop Labour being nutory-lite, more power to the unions elbows we want no more privatisation we want the good old England with post offices and police stationsand local hospitals and GPs
peter c, devizes, wessex
Labour's socialist ideology - and their evident complete and utter incompetence - has destroyed the party's support among voters; publicly dragging Labour further to the Left is hardly the most sensible idea in the world. The Comrades in Toxteth and Glasgow East might like it, but no-one else does.
Dave, Leatherhead, England
we all hate privateisation- candy for the vampireswho would suck the life out of our society and economy
peter c, devizes, wessex
There is a clear risk here that Mr Brown will feel pressured to use the Labour Party's governing majority to advance the political interests of the leadership of an unelected body in return for money; political interests that have no democratic mandate, and that he does not support.
Helen Barker, Horsham,
They should be dumping Brown because he is not a socialist.
judy, Liverpool, England
Well they can't make it any clearer than that. If you want to keep your job Brown take us back to the '70s. A sure-fire vote winner that. Only problem is he is such a coward and is so determined to hang onto the job he is totally unsuited to, that he'll probably do it. Gordon - governing for Gordon.
Donna Walker, Effingham, England
Brown is terminally damaged & no party he leads could win a future general election. However, if he caves in to ANY of the unions demands to favour them or their policies, Old Labour will be back - and back out of government for many years. It could even be relegated to the 3rd party in UK politics.
Tony, LONDON, UK
The Unions perfectly understand that unless they grab some power before the next election, it will be denied them for at least another parliament. The frightening worry is that they will use that power - power cuts and the 3-day week will be back on the agenda.
Peter, Oxford, England
There is a long way to go to reestablish Labours credentials with the voters,
And giving in to trade Union demands is the way to do it??
trevorH, OXON, UK
Isn't this threat enough proof that the Trade Unions are already choosing who governs us to their agenda?
George, London,
We govern in the interests of the whole government not just one section.
Well there is a slip of the tongue that says it all really.
Phil H, Hurstpierpoint, England
Old labour, old danger.
Lenny, Coventry,
I don't know why they are bothering Labour will ot get in the next election the BNP have more chance
sydney hobson, Leeds, UK