LABOUR’S national policy forum was riven by rows between trade unions and the party’s leadership over the weekend, according to news reports and social media.

The row was heightened by party leader Sir Keir Starmer’s stance on the child benefit cap, workers’ rights and his suggestion that the party should U-turn on its green policies following the Tory victory in the Uxbridge and South Ruislip by-election.

Sir Keir has urged members, trade unions and other affiliated groups taking part in the talks in Nottingham not to pile Labour up with “baggage” that could stand in the way of it forming the next government.

Left MP Beth Winter told the Guardian: “If we are going to convince people that the Labour Party is going to build a better Britain, we need to challenge this Westminster orthodoxy and build support for the bold policies that offer hope.”

There were several reports that a row had developed over workers’ rights, including over a push to set the national living wage at £15 per hour, a move said to be backed by Unison.

It was also reported that unions were likely to put forward an amendment designed to force a change of policy over the two-child limit to child benefit.

Sir Keir has said Labour will keep the cap, which was introduced by Tory former chancellor George Osborne during his austerity drive.

It prevents parents claiming universal credit for any third or subsequent child.

Campaigners say scrapping the cap would lift around 270,000 households with children out of poverty.

Unison, the Fire Brigades Union, the Communication and Workers Union and train drivers’ union Aslef were preparing to challenge the party leadership, reports said.

But Sir Keir said during a visit to Shefford, Bedfordshire, the priority for his premiership would be to fix a “broken economy” and “broken public services.”

“That is why I’ve been absolutely clear that we won’t have any unfunded spending commitments,” Sir Keir said.

“And that is why we’re not going to change our policy on the two-child benefit cap.”

Addressing the forum on Saturday, Sir Keir said the party needed to show “historic levels of effort, discipline and focus” ahead of a likely election next year.