Siptu chief to call on Labour to alter policy

The Siptu president, Jack O’Connor, will today call on Labour to radically alter party policies going into the general election, including making water free again for homes and abolishing the universal social charge.

In a speech designed to put pressure on Labour to distance themselves from Fine Gael in the coming months, the leader of the country’s largest trade union will call on the party to return to its core values.

His comments come after Labour leader Joan Burton last night acknowledged at the party’s conference that the fight to be returned to government would be challenging. “Now, the fight for a second term will take all our energy, skill and courage. It’s going to be tough.”