A major trade union has refused to back Sir Keir Starmer’s plan for government.
Unite, Labour’s biggest financial backer, said it was giving a “thumbs down” to the outcome of the party’s National Policy Forum in Nottingham over the weekend.
The document produced by the two-day event will form the basis of the next election manifesto.
A statement by the union said: “Unite gives important Labour policy document ‘thumbs down’.
“Britain’s leading trade union today refused to give its backing to an important Labour document for government at the National Policy Forum gathering in Nottingham.
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“Unite was unable to back the document in full as it clearly crossed the union’s red lines including around workers’ rights in collective bargaining – an area which needs root and branch change, not just tinkering around the edges.
“Workers’ access to unions and a weakening of language around zero hours contracts.
“The process in Nottingham was also chaotic with an attempt to push through changes to the policy document without first sharing them with conference participants including Unite.
“As in any negotiation you simply don’t sign up to something without all the detail and understanding the impact on our members and workers more widely.
“As the general election draws nearer Keir Starmer has to prove Labour will deliver for workers and we need clear policies on this.”
The row comes after Unite general secretary Sharon Graham earlier this month warned the union could reduce the amount of money it gives to Labour as she called for a “bolder” vision.
Momentum, the grassroots group that support Sir Keir’s predecessor Jeremy Corbyn, also criticised the proposals.
A Momentum spokesman said: “This weekend was a missed opportunity for the Labour Party to lay out real solutions to the Tories’ broken Britain.
“Trade unions and party members brought amendments on urgent, popular policies like a £15 minimum wage, strengthened workers’ rights and free school meals.”
But the plans were backed by the GMB union which said Labour has policies that can “make a real difference for workers”.
Sir Keir warned the forum on Saturday that the party could not go into the next general election, expected to be held in 2024, with a manifesto containing unfunded spending pledges as it looks to demonstrate economic credibility to on-the-fence voters.
The party leader urged members, trade unions and other affiliated groups taking part in the talks in the East Midlands not to “pile” Labour up with “baggage” that could stand in the way of it forming the next government as he spoke of “tough decisions” being required on public spending.
A Labour spokesman said: “Labour’s democratic policymaking body has endorsed Keir Starmer’s programme, his five missions for government, and the fiscal rules that he and Rachel Reeves have set out.
“This is a serious, credible and ambitious policy programme that lays the groundwork for an election-winning manifesto and a mission-driven Labour government that will build a better Britain.
“There are no unfunded spending commitments in the document.
“This weekend is another proof point that shows that Keir Starmer has changed the Labour Party and is ready to change the country in government built on the rock of economic responsibility and strong fiscal rules.”
