The TUC's annual conference by the sea used to be one of the most important in the calendar but there has been a steep decline in status over the past 25 years.

As the brothers prepare for their conference next week in Brighton, there are signs of a resurgence.

Unions suffered a severe drop in esteem after they were perceived to have overstepped the mark during strikes in the Seventies which culminated in the three-day week.

This also led to a loss of power for Labour, their allies in Government, and to reforms from Margaret Thatcher which took away many of their rights.

When Tony Blair came to power six years ago, unions welcomed the return of Labour but have been disappointed as he pursued his own agenda rather than theirs.

Now a new generation of union leaders is prepared to take on New Labour on several fronts, ranging from Private Finance Initiatives to the establishment of foundation hospitals.

No wonder Tony Blair has invited unions back to Downing Street.

The last thing his beleaguered Government needs is another series of strikes.

And he knows alienating them could lead to a loss to party funds from some of Labour's biggest backers.