Labour axes its spring conference

Labour is due to publish its annual accounts next month

The Labour Party has cancelled next year's spring conference as part of efforts to put it back on a "long term stable financial footing".

The party says instead it plans to hold local events and "online activies" to "make best use of its resources".

It will publish its annual accounts in August. The latest Electoral Commission figures show it was £17.8m in debt.

It also faces the prospect of paying back millions of pounds in loans made when Tony Blair was PM.

Labour's chief fundraiser Jon Mendelsohn has been approaching existing lenders to reschedule loans, as well as looking for new backers.

In a statement a Labour party spokesperson said: "The Labour Party's NEC (National Executive Committee) has taken the decision to cancel Spring Conference 2009 as part of a range of measures to put the party on a long term stable financial footing.

"Instead of gathering in one place for a traditional conference with set piece speeches and formal meetings that only a limited number of people can attend, the party will be seeking to make best use of its resources by engaging with as many members as possible through a combination of both events in your local area and online activities."

Meanwhile Unison - the biggest public sector union - is reported to be reviewing its £1.5m a year contribution to the party.

General Secretary Dave Prentis told the Independent the party appeared "devoid of ideas" about how it would win the next general election and said voters wanted "clear choices" between Labour and the Tories.

The main political parties' main annual conference is held in the autumn, but they also traditionally hold a smaller weekend gathering in Spring.

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