Kennedy attempts to woo union leaders

Charles Kennedy sought to exploit Labour's faltering relationship with the unions yesterday when he promised he would never describe their members as wreckers.

The Liberal Democrat became the first leader of his party to address the Trades Union Congress, earning a 30-second ovation from delegates after a speech in which he rejected confrontation.

In a reference to an attack by the former transport secretary Stephen Byers on unions, Mr Kennedy said: "We're not going to agree automatically with everything you say. But we'll listen. You won't catch Liberal Democrats describing trade unionists as wreckers."

Mr Kennedy insisted that his party shared much common ground with unions, despite their traditional links with Labour. But he insisted that he was not seeking funding from trade unions, joking that "the chance would be a fine thing".

He said: "There is an emerging consensus among us that stretches from environmental responsibility, from employee rights to worker participation, from public services to the welfare state." He said the party would fight for workers' rights and over pension schemes.