Blair warning to TUC militants

Tony Blair today put himself on a collision course with the new generation of militant trade union barons, telling them their views belonged in the history books and their threats of action would only do damage to the Labour Government and their own members.

The Prime Minister took up the challenge head-on in his speech to the TUC this afternoon.

He said he was prepared to give the unions a bargain, declaring: "I offer partnership. No prejudices, no preconceptions on either side. We will listen to your genuine concerns. I ask you to listen to us on the need for reform."

Having said that, though, he made it clear he was ready for battle if the bargain broke down - and warned of the consequences.

Directly addressing Derek Simpson, new leader of the Amicus union, and rail union leaders Mick Rix and Bob Crow, he said: "It would be ironic if, just when we are achieving a partnership, some of you might decide to turn your back on it. The media will love talk of going to flying pickets, union militancy, unions attacking a Labour Government."

Asserting that most union leaders and their members wanted partnership, he said: "I know that does a lot more good than a lot of self-indulgent rhetoric from a few. That belongs to history."

In what looked like a jibe at Mr Simpson, who at the start of the week said he would not find time to meet the Prime Minister, he went on: "My door is open to any union leader - there is no obligation, of course." Mr Blair had been clearly stung by some of the personal vitriol sprayed in his direction this week.

Mr Simpson had vowed to give him a "f***ing migraine" and Mr Crow had said he and President George Bush would be branded as "war criminals" if they attacked Iraq.

But Mr Blair also had some conciliatory words for the moderates, saying his Government had invested billions of pounds to turn around the NHS and other key public services.

Earlier it emerged Mr Blair is planning to recall Parliament next week for a crisis debate on Iraq - at the same time as the Government publishes its long-awaited dossier on Saddam Hussein's weapons of mass destruction.

The timing has yet to be fixed but ministers are looking at the option of a recall on Thursday or Friday next week.

The full-day sitting will meet the growing clamour from the opposition parties and the Labour Left for Parliament to be given its say before the launch of a military campaign.

It will also be a chance for the Prime Minister's critics, and the doubters, to unite and give voice as never before.

The recall depends in part on delicate negotiations still continuing between London and Washington over how much evidence should be released and when.

Further delay would not only intensify the criticism but would mean that an emergency session would clash with one of the main party conferences which dominate the next three weeks.

A Commons recall next week would be the first emergency session of its kind since last autumn, when MPs were summoned to debate the attack on Afghanistan.

This afternoon, Mr Blair confronted his opponents in the union movement, telling the TUC conference there was no choice but to act against Saddam's " barbaric" regime.

In his most passionate defence of action yet, the text of his speech warns: "It may not erupt and engulf us this month or next. Perhaps not even this year or next. But it will at some point. And I do not want it on my conscience that we knew the threat, saw it coming, and did nothing."

Aides said his speech would go some way towards meeting the critics, stressing the role of the United Nations and arguing that military action would be directed against Iraq for repeatedly flouting its word on weapons inspections.

However, his ultimate message on Saddam was that with or without the UN: "We cannot stand by and do nothing. We should do everything we can to stop him using the weapons he has and getting the weapons he wants."

Today's speech was part of a carefully choreographed effort leading up to President George Bush's address to the UN on Thursday.

Downing Street welcomed evidence France was toughening its line after President Jacques Chirac said Iraq should be given a three-week ultimatum to let in the weapons inspectors.

White House officials said international opposition to military action against Iraq was softening, pointing to strong denunciations of Saddam from Spain, Denmark and the Netherlands as well as France.