A EURO MP has publicly called for the Labour Party to adopt more radical policies than "Tony Blair's rather limited statements".

The 19th International Labour Day celebrations at Burnley's Towneley Park should have been a triumphant festival since it was the first time the celebrations have coincided with a Labour government but rain stopped play and kept the usual crowds away.

Michael Hindley, Labour Euro MP for Lancashire South, took the opportunity to promote his views on the national party and won cheers from the crowd of about 50 when he called for more radical policies.

He called for "far more fundamental change" to give the Labour Party a chance to gain the public's confidence and be re-elected after the first five years were up.

He applauded signing up to the European Social Chapter, but said: "It is by no means enough to satisfy what we want in this country.

"We want to see Tony Blair sitting down with the Trade Unions to discuss internationalism.

"What we really have to go for is an international social chapter. "The minimum wage is not to be sniffed at; it will improve conditions for thousands of workers.

"It can't be something that is arbitrarily set and we need to know how often it will be reviewed.

"It can't be run by a Treasury saying you can't do this and can't do that."

He also called for proper funding of the NHS and education and criticised plans to use National Lottery money.

"They deserve proper funding not lottery money," he said.

"If people want nuclear weapons then let them sell lottery tickets and see how much support they get.

"Lets make sure the Labour Party delivers for our side as well as Thatcher delivered for her side.

"The time for that to come is now."

Burnley MP Peter Pike called for the new Government to work in partnership with county and district councils to deliver policies.

He said: "If I didn't believe the Labour Party was going to deliver for the people who voted for them then I would not have stood as a Labour candidate.

"Let's make sure we have a better and fairer Britain for the 21st century."

Liverpool docker Tommy Lloyd also addressed the meeting along with union bosses and Lancashire Central Euro MP Mark Hendrick.

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