Labour's national policy forum in Bristol at the weekend is already going to be a tense affair, what with rows looming on the sidelines over the Royal Mail, agency workers, "British jobs for British workers", equal pay etc. All of them pitch Lord Mandelson against the rank and file.
But even more intriguing is the pending clash at the forum's top table – between the guys supposed to be brokering deals. Chairing the event will be none other than Pat McFadden, the minister in charge of the Royal Mail who is steering the entire part-privatisation agenda.
And who is his number two on the forum?
In a fascinating twist of fate, it is none other than Billy Hayes, the general secretary of the Communication Workers' Union, which is leading opposition to the McFadden/Mandelson ideas.
Talk about a free and frank expression of views ...
An aide to Hayes told me: "Billy is a very accommodating character, but there have been some very heated exchanges."
MPs have noted that McFadden is slim of frame and Billy more bulky ... Interesting times ahead.
