Monks likely to quit TUC job

TUC general secretary John Monks is likely to quit his post in summer 2003 after announcing his plan to stand for the position of general secretary of the European TUC.

Although it is an elected post and Monks says "there are, of course, other excellent potential candidates", his public announcement about his intentions is widely seen as evidence that the job will be his for the asking.

He told The Times that he would be supporting his deputy at the TUC, Brendan Barber, to succeed him. However, there will be some pressure for the TUC to make a radical move in appointing its first woman as leader, for example current head of organisation and services, Frances O'Grady.

Monks has headed the TUC for 10 years, spearheading a significant overhaul of the organisation and helping to bring it back into the mainstream of British political life.