FOOD workers’ leader Ronnie Draper urged Labour leader Ed Miliband yesterday to abandon austerity-lite policies and appeal to traditional Labour voters in the run-up to next year’s general election.

Bakers, Food and Allied Workers Union (BFAWU) general secretary general secretary Mr Draper told his union’s conference in Southport that Mr Miliband had a “hell of job” to convince traditional Labour voters to stick with the party.

“We’re not asking for the Earth. It is not about being radically left-wing.

“We want a living wage, the abolition of zero-hours contracts unless a worker genuinely wants it, an end to the dependency on foodbanks by feeding people properly and a repeal of the anti-trade union laws.

“My message to Ed Miliband is to make a commitment to build a substantial amount of new houses — that’s a vote winner, promise to keep the NHS free at the point of need — that’s a vote winner, and promise to take back our postal service into public ownership — that is a vote winner.

“The Labour Party was born out of the trade union movement, not the other way around.”

Mr Draper also condemned Britain’s horrendous anti-worker laws, pointing out that it is the easiest place to sack a worker in the West.

Con-Dem officials have put up the cost of employment tribunals to £1,600 and double the length of time a worker has to be employed before being able to claim unfair dismissal.

“This country is condemned by the International Labour Organisation year on year because we are outside the international norms of industrial relations.

“This government has taken away access to justice. Somebody in McDonald’s who is on minimum wage, how can they afford £250 just to register for a hearing, never mind get to a full tribunal?

“It is a scandal.”

Delegates had earlier passed a series of motions calling on the Labour Party to champion workers’ rights.

Greggs delegate Christopher Lay said: “We want to see Ed Miliband say he backs the union and that the Labour Party is there for working people.”

And executive member John Fox urged delegates to “take the message back into the constituency Labour parties.”