The T&G's roots are in the workplace - in the factories, depots, airports, offices, docks, farms and building sites of Britain and Ireland. Whatever we do in Westminster or Brussels, in conference hall or council chamber, it will ultimately mean little if we are not strong in the workplace. It is there that we have to deliver for the membership.

Our union spans a vast range of industries and working environments. But certain principles apply wherever T&G members work. The most important is simple - members want a union that will do the business, not a business union. That means the union is there for them and their interests. There is no political agenda, nor any other consideration, which can come before putting the men and women of our union first.

In recent times, some in the trade union movement have put their faith in 'social partnership'. I have no problem at all in working constructively with employers who treat their workers with respect, and their trade unions with honesty. But we have seen too little of both in recent times. 'Social partnership' is not working for our members it has not prevented factory closures or job losses, neither has it prevented workers being treated as second-class citizens in far too many cases.

We need to assert in principle and in practice our independence. I am not interested in cosy chats with employers at a national level if that does not translate into real, enforceable, agreements, which mean something to the members at the sharp-end.

A priority for stronger unions in the workplace must be a repeal of the anti-union laws - a long-standing T&G policy. This is not a matter of political theology. While these laws remain in place we often find ourselves trying to fight with one hand tied behind our back. No other country in Europe outlaws solidarity action, places so many obstacles in the way of lawful industrial action, or makes trade union recognition itself almost a privilege instead of a right.

These and other laws make it easier and cheaper to sack British workers than those elsewhere in Europe. So no matter what tremendous efforts our members make in improving productivity, when cutbacks are on the boardroom table at the trans-national corporations, Britain is often the first place they look - we're the soft touch.

I want the same rights and protection for our members. British workers should also have the same rights to consultation and information as elsewhere in Europe. That would be real fairness at work.

"I will campaign to stop the scandal of British workers being the cannon fodder of Europe when sackings take place"

But rebuilding our workplace strength is more than a matter of changing laws. I will channel more of our resources into supporting the people at the sharp end, our lay representatives and our national and regional officers. Negotiating is a skilled and demanding job, which demands the full support of the union. To that end, I will consider creating a specialist bargaining unit at Central Office, using both skilled staff and technical resources, to give all our negotiators the support they need when they need it.

I will also bring the experience gained with successfully dealing with the giant car companies - some of the world's biggest corporations - and apply that throughout the union. We cannot take on all the problems caused by the globalisation of capitalism on our own, but we should be ready to look at new ways of international co-operation which strengthen our bargaining hand, particularly in vulnerable sectors like textiles.

I will deliver the sharper industrial focus that has often been talked about in the T&G, but seldom delivered.

For any industrial strategy to succeed we need to make it clear to everyone that the industrial work of the union really does matter.

Disputes will happen and when they do we must give ourselves the very best chance of winning for the members. Members languishing on picket lines month after month must stop, in order to be as effective as possible I will create an experienced Central Office 'disputes team' with research, communication, legal and organising skills, to focus on winning such struggles when the need arises.