By Ben Davies BBC News Online political staff at the TUC in Brighton

Blair and Barber in Brighton

He gave a clear commitment not to "bury" Warwick, the 56 point deal tackling issues from pensions through to workplace equality.

And the leadership of the big four unions were quick to welcome that.

But for the rank and file issues like Iraq and the civil service job cuts appeared to be rarely out of mind.

Not that there was much passion to be had at this year's rather lacklustre annual gathering.

Aside from a few tub-thumping speeches from the likes of RMT boss Bob Crow, this was a largely uneventful conference.

And everyone seemed to know why: next year's general election.

Many union members, when pressed, seem to want a third term for Labour - but that is not to say they are terribly thrilled about many aspects of party policy.

Radical?

They feel it is more a case of better the devil you know.

Unison boss Dave Prentis told BBC News Online: "What we are looking for is a radical third term for Labour and we are looking for policies that will have vision and will appeal to the grass roots of the Labour Party."

Paula Mason, RMT delegate, said: "When Tony Blair came did he really listen? I'm from the shop floor and our industry, shipping, is being devastated. I feel very disappointed and disillusioned to be honest our industry over a 20 year period has been chipped away at and nobody cares."

Colin Moses, the national chairman of the Prison Officers Association, said: "The actual downpoint of this conference was Tony Blair - a very flat, a very uninspiring speech for a Labour prime minister to come and give to the TUC."

TGWU delegate Sean McGovern said: "I'm very disappointed in our reception for Tony Blair - we gave him too much credit. It's been very insipid the whole thing. It's partly down the consensus between the TUC and government. On the one hand the TUC is critical of the government but it's not overly critical because it's a gun against the head politics thing - if we don't support Labour we will get the Tories."

Mick Rix, former Aslef general secretary, said: "I think if anybody expected any fireworks at TUC congress on the eve of an important election that's going to take place in the country I don't know what people are really looking for.

"Affiliated unions reached an agreement with Labour at Warwick and the TUC this week are concentrating on an agenda for the future.

"The pleasing thing for the TUC for those who want fireworks is that really there is so much unity in the trade union movement that that kind of behavioural attitude no longer happens."

Val Page of Unison said: "It's been a bit uneventful this year really. I've been stewarding at TUC conferences for the past 30 years and this the only one where I've actually felt bored while I've been stewarding.