The Fire Brigades Union conference in May rejected a motion from Durham for "a study" paving the way for reaffiliation to the Labour Party.
The FBU disaffiliated from the Labour Party in 2004, disgusted by the Labour government's attitude in the FBU's 2002-3 pay dispute.
At the 2007 FBU conference, the Executive proposed: "Concern has been expressed that disaffiliation has closed a number of doors... It is right that the Union should continue to debate its political direction and this will inevitably include the issue of possible re-affiliation to the Labour Party... The Executive Council will arrange a structured debate".
Linda Smith, a leading member of FBU and Respect, "criticised the executive’s policy statement for effectively laying the groundwork for reaffiliating to Labour in the future", but the statement was carried.
At the next year's conference, 2008, general secretary Matt Wrack reported that in his judgement "the clear view of members would be not to consider the issue of reaffiliation".
A Derbyshire motion endorsing disaffiliation was passed, despite some opposition. The mover declared that this was "until the so-called New Labour government returns itself to the core values of the Labour Movement".
Matt Wrack gave Executive support to the motion, but warned: "I also flag up a note of caution because there are phrases that have been used [saying] that we need to support the people who support us, and my note of caution is, what do we mean by that?
"I would not want to see... a move towards a US style of politics, because in the United States unions do deals one year with the Republicans and one year with the Democrats, and it varies from state to state... We are a socialist trade union, and... that is the priority for the debate".
He was obviously commenting on a speech from a Scottish delegate in support of disaffiliation. "We were able to support local politicians who have helped us... Three were Labour, three were SNP. We... delivered leaflets for both Labour and SNP... We tried to put aside what parties they were because these people helped us".