Labour councillors join public services revolt

Labour councillors joined trade unions yesterday in attacking Tony Blair's plans for private sector involvement in public services.

According to a poll of senior councillors obtained by The Independent, 42 per cent believe government plans to get them to work with private firms would pose a "serious threat" to their local authorities.

The survey, by the Local Government Association and the insurer Zurich Municipal, also found that councillors believed partnerships with the private sector were unclear.

One of the party's most senior education experts warned that councillors were ready to quit in protest at plans to involve private firms in state schools.

The poll results are sure to be seized on by the GMB union, which said it would use next year's council elections to oppose privatisation plans.

The GMB is expected this week to approve a poster campaign attacking government plans to increase the use of private firms in the NHS. Not since the late 1970s has a union led an advertising campaign in direct opposition to a sitting Labour government.