http://news.independent.co.uk/people/profiles/story.jsp?story=411594
02 June 2003
Tony Blair is enduring his worst nightmare as leader of the Labour Party.
First the Prime Minister had to adjust to the shock that the former Communist Derek Simpson had been elected joint leader of the party's largest affiliate Amicus in preference to Sir Ken Jackson, his most cherished trade union ally.
Then at the weekend Downing Street's favoured candidate to succeed Bill Morris as leader of the Transport and General Workers' Union (TGWU) was beaten by the left-winger Tony Woodley, whose backers - from Trotskyist to traditionalist Labour - were united by their suspicion of Mr Blair.
Having defeated Jack Dromey, husband of Harriet Harman, the Solicitor General, Mr Woodley will now take his place among a burgeoning cabal of radicals - "the awkward squad" - who are expected, at his invitation, to organise a council of war to take on New Labour.
They include Bob Crow of the RMT rail union, Mick Rix of the train drivers' union Aslef and Billy Hayes of the Communication Workers Union. All will be keen to have a go at the Government over the next five weeks of the conference season..........