LABOUR is set to shun pro-EU campaigns which include Tories and business chiefs, yesterday endorsing a call from a major union to learn the lessons of the party’s defeat in Scotland.

The party’s annual conference called for “a Europe focused on jobs and growth, not more austerity,” and for 16 and 17-year-olds to be given a vote in the upcoming referendum.

But general union GMB’s request for Labour to decide its line on the referendum at a special conference was removed during the “compositing” process — where the various proposers of EU-related motions formed a consensus document to put to conference.

The resolution, which was passed unanimously, rules out “working with any campaign or faction in the forthcoming referendum which supports or advocates cutting employment or social rights for people working in the United Kingdom.”

GMB general secretary Paul Kenny slammed Tory PM David Cameron for “creeping” round Europe attempting to negotiate away workers’ rights.

“Frankly people in our own party, by blindly embracing a Europe at any price, merely encourage Cameron and the CBI to push for even more attacks on working people,” he said.

“It is a ridiculous and stupid suggestion that we [could] campaign alongside those who attack our very existence.”

Labour’s anti-exit campaign chief and former cabinet minister Alan Johnson said it would be a “disaster” to leave the EU.

“The way to achieve reform is through patient argument, building alliances, playing our part, not sulking near the exit door muttering threats and insults — the Boris Johnson school of negotiation,” he said.