Prentis urges Milband to stop "squabbles" with the unions

The UK Labour Party faces an election meltdown like that experienced by its Australian counterpart unless it stops its "squabbles" with the unions, Unison general secretary Dave Prentis has warned.

Mr Prentis said the election period had begun and that "people do not want to see split parties, they want to se us focussed".

Labour Party leader Ed Miliband wants to change his party's relationship with the trade unions.

The issue looks set to dominate the TUC's annual congress in Bournemouth this week, which Mr Miliband will address on Tuesday.