Brown faces conference defeats over rebel plans for energy firm tax and a cut in working hours

Gordon Brown was tonight facing a double conference defeat at the hands of the unions and the Left.

They were set to ram through rebel motions for a windfall tax on energy firms and a cut in maximum working hours.

A stormy debate on the economy saw trade unionists win applause by attacking profits and even mooting nationalisation. Unite’s Tony Woodley got a standing ovation for denouncing ‘greedy’ utilities.

Calling for a £6 billion windfall tax on energy and a cap on gas and electricity prices, he said: ‘If they still don’t get the message this Government should consider taking these essential industries - gas, electricity, water - back under public ownership.

'If it’s good enough for the banks, it’s good enough for our utilities.’

Former environment minister Michael Meacher won loud cheers when he said: ‘Are we going to let these companies hold this country to ransom like this?

'If privatisation of energy is going to lead to this massive exploitation ... then yes, we should be thinking again about having a public sector role in our energy sector.’

The two motions were expected to be voted through, with the result being announced tonight or tomorrow. But a Labour Party spokesman said they would be effectively ignored because conference no longer has a policymaking role.

• Business Secretary John Hutton warned of a ‘new international battle’ for energy supply. He told conference that Britain must boost its own sources rather than relying on ‘unstable’ regions. He called for a ‘renaissance’ in nuclear energy as well as an expansion in renewable fuels, and defended the use of coal.