Labour chooses new party boss

Mr Triesman (left) said he was delighted with his job

A 57-year-old trade union leader is to replace Margaret McDonagh as Labour's general secretary.

David Triesman, general secretary of the Association of University Teachers, was selected from a short-list of five by Labour's national executive committee (NEC).

Labour party chairman Charles Clarke said: "David brings a great breadth of experience to the party and I know he will help us to meet the challenges we face with talent and creativity."

But Tuesday's NEC meeting caused controversy when a plea by the unions to have a debate - at Labour's annual conference in the autumn - on plans for greater private sector involvement in the provision of public services was not discussed.

Footballing past

Mr Triesman said he was honoured to secure the job adding that he was looking forward to getting started.

"I am honoured to be the new general secretary and I look forward to working with all Labour party members in the years ahead to make the party a vital force in securing a progressive century," he said.

The lifelong trade unionist is said to have a number of outside interests including hill walking and playing guitar.

He is a keen supporter of Tottenham Hotspurs football club, where he was a youth player in the 1960s.

Many in the party will hope the new general secretary will maintain a lower profile than Ms McDonagh's, who eventually became closely identified as a prime mover behind New Labour's alleged "control freakery".

Observers will also watch closely to see whether the new post of Labour chairman will clash with the established role of general secretary.

Calls for debate ignored

Although the NEC chose a new general secretary the attempts of union leaders to secure a debate on Labour's plans for public service reform were ignored.

Voicing the unions' frustration at the lack of discussion a spokesman for the GMB said: "In the past the party has been guilty of moving the goalposts - this time they have stolen the penalty spot and made off with the corner flags as well."

Union leaders will raise the issue of privatisation again when Labour's policy forum meets on Saturday.