Labour's historic link with the firefighters' union could be severed on Thursday if FBU members vote to cut ties with the party after 86 years.

The ballot at the union's annual conference follows a bitter pay row.

Members will vote on the motion: "The aims and objectives of the Labour Party no longer reflect those of the FBU."

Union leader Andy Gilchrist was set to argue against the disaffiliation from Labour but he has been unable to attend the conference because he is ill.

RMT break

If the members do go ahead and vote to end the link, Labour will lose out on an annual donation of £50,000.

Earlier this year the Rail, Maritime and Transport Union (RMT) links with Labour were severed after it gave cash to other political parties.

The FBU is also threatening fresh strike action over an on-going pay row.

Firefighters will hold a vote on the issue at the end of July unless the current deadlock is broken.

The union has accused employers of reneging on a deal that would have seen a 3.5% pay rise backdated to November and a possible 4.2% increase from July.

'Theft'

Assistant general secretary Mike Fordham said: "Employers have been dishonourable and totally distrustful and their attitude is an absolute disgrace."

He said his union had kept its side of the bargain and branded as "theft" the decision not to pay the rise.

Mr Fordham said there were elements in the government that wanted to "smash" the FBU.

A spokesman for the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister said there was "no justification" for strike action.

And Christine Jebb, who chairs the employers' side, said: "It remains unclear exactly what the stumbling block is.

"We were so close to reaching a deal and firefighters must be questioning how we can move from near agreement to a ballot for industrial action.

"We urge firefighters to show their disapproval to this ill-considered decision and vote against industrial action."

'Confident'

Employers leaders are due to meet on Thursday and again next week and a fresh bid to break the deadlock is expected before the FBU ballots for further industrial action.

The Communication Workers' Union meanwhile has also said it will suspend its £300,000 donation to Labour if the government fails to commit to a publicly owned Post Office.

At their conference in Bournemouth the CWU backed an emergency motion demanding Labour includes a pledge to keep the Post Office in public hands in its next election manifesto.


Firefighters have been angered by their pay dispute

Without that commitment future funding will be suspended.

General Secretary Billy Hayes said: "I am confident that the leadership of the Labour Party and the government will appreciate the need to reassure the public that postal services will improve and develop.

"The only concrete way this can be demonstrated is a formal commitment for it to remain in public hands.

"I am sure we can gain the guarantee that any hare-brained share scheme from Royal Mail managers will be shown to be an idle daydream."