CONTROVERSIAL Labour Euro MP Mike Hindley slammed the Government for its 'minimal programme' and told MPs to be loyal to the people who elected them.

At the 20th annual May Day rally in Towneley Park, Burnley, Mr Hindley said: "I would never ever expect the backers of the Tory party to put up with a minimal party as we seem prepared to do from our side."

He said it was time the party delivered loyalty to the people who had elected them into office.

"If the Labour Party cannot deliver and the trade unions themselves continue to shell out money hand over fist, the trade unions need to take some lessons in bargaining.

"The British trade union movement has to sharpen up and argue consistently on behalf of its members to turn rhetoric into reality.

"I think there will always be a reason for socialism, trade unions and the Labour party. It is not defeat at elections that will kill the Labour Party, but a government letting down its supporters. That is what will finish off the Labour Party in this country."

He told a packed marquee that it was just as important to have people in the party who were sceptics, just like the movement of 100 years' ago.

Stuart Marsden, organiser of the May Day parade, which marched from Burnley Town Hall to the park, said: "This parade is to promote trade union rights now for all workers. We are hoping to put pressure on the Government stick to full rights for everyone without compromising with the CBI."

Also in the parade was the Utopia Marching Brass, Silsden Majorettes, West Yorkshire street band the Red Herrings and banners from unions, socialist groups and trades councils from East Lancashire and beyond.

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