Moves to set up a new “trade union party” sparked mixed reactions at the Campaign for Labour Party Democracy AGM (CLPD) on Saturday.

CLPD leaders proposed discussions on a new party to work in alliance with the Labour Party — along the lines of the existing Co-operative Party.

However, the resolution was referred back to the CLPD executive after meeting strong opposition from some activists.

Assistant secretary Jon Lansman suggested that setting up a workers’ party after the next election would help build resistance if austerity policies were pursued by a Labour government.

The new trade union party would support the Labour Party, and seek a Co-op Party-style joint agreement.

CLPD secretary Pete Willsman warned that the unions were on “a slippery slope” after they had “rolled over” to accept the Collins proposals attacking the party’s union link.

Slowly but surely the unions were being pushed out by the Labour Party leadership.

Every union should be asked to join the new sister party, which would have branches in every parliamentary constituency and would hold its own annual conference.

All trade unionists would be able to join the party — except workers who were a member of a political party which stood candidates against the Labour Party.

The new party would have millions of pounds at its disposal, and could end up with 150 to 200 MPs in the House of Commons, predicted Mr Willsman.

Veteran activist Francis Prideaux strongly opposed the suggested new party, arguing that it would harm and marginalise the CLPD and spark accusations of disloyalty.

Mr Prideaux urged renewed efforts to “stir up the Labour Party and make it work better for all of us.”

Labour Party national executive member Martin Mayer reported on his union Unite’s energetic political strategy to change the party and “shake it by its roots.”

The union was launching a massive campaign to encourage shop stewards, convenors and ordinary members to engage with the Labour Party in the constituencies.

“We could well have something between 30 and 70 trade union left parliamentary candidates in the next election,” he said.

Unite lay officer Kate Osamor spoke of positive community work conducted by the union in her London borough of Haringey — helping to reconnect with people in the fight against “hideous” coalition policies.