Q&A: Miliband's union proposals

Labour leader Ed Miliband wants to change his party's relationship with the trade unions in the wake of a row with its biggest backer, Unite, over candidate selection.

What does Mr Miliband want?

Why would he want to do something that could cost his party millions?

How would technical changes to union membership rules achieve that?

What are the risks for Miliband?

So how does the system currently work?

So what will be different under Mr Miliband's proposals?

Are there any precedents for this?

Does this mean he is ending Labour's links with the unions?

What do the unions think of Mr Miliband's plans?

Why is Labour so reliant on union funding?

What do the unions get out of it?

How do the unions exercise their power?

Is this row just about funding?

What is an open primary?

Why does Mr Miliband think that is better than the current selection system?

What about opponents of open primaries?

What happens if the unions reject the plan?

Why is Mr Miliband doing this now?

What happened in Falkirk?

What is Unite trying to do?

What's the problem with that?

So why the big row?

What have the Conservatives said?

Why did Tom Watson quit?

What is happening now?