SELBY MP John Grogan today launched a "new wave" group to press for a change of direction by Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Mr Grogan is among 15 Labour MPs who are urging the Prime Minister to rethink plans on controversial policies such as student top-up fees to avoid "disillusionment and apathy" among the party's supporters.

The group will draw up a shopping list for the next Labour manifesto through seminars, pamphlets and a website (www.newwavelabour.co.uk).

Mr Grogan said: "We are a group of Labour MPs eager to engage constructively in the debate about how Labour should renew itself after six years in office.

"We now have a realistic chance of an historic third term, but we must develop a fresh approach to both policy and organisation if we are to move Britain decisively in a democratic socialist direction.

"We must also guard against the increasing signs of disillusionment and apathy amongst our supporters and produce a radical and exciting programme which can inspire both confidence and hope."

The group's launch will prompt concern in Downing Street as its members are considered moderate MPs, rather than the "awkward squad" of left-wing MPs which has regularly voted against Mr Blair on issues such as foundation hospitals.

Mr Grogan only voted against the Government for the first time over the decision to go to war against Iraq, but he has repeatedly voiced fears about plans to allow top universities to charge up to £3,000 a year in top-up fees. Other members include former minister Angela Eagle and former Downing Street aide John Cruddas.

The group's ten-point manifesto makes it clear the MPs will challenge Mr Blair on a number of key issues.

In a thinly-veiled attack on the war against Iraq, they call for a "reformed and effective UN and not neo-colonial US adventures".

Commenting on Mr Blair's policies, such as foundation hospitals, it adds: "Markets have limits. They are good servants but poor masters."

The MPs say they want "to develop an approach which will transform our society rather than accommodate to the Thatcherite legacy."

York MP Hugh Bayley said he had no plans to join the "new wave" - but said it could make a valuable contribution towards shaping party policy. "I welcome new ideas, and I do not believe policy in the Labour Party should just come from the top.

"The party is about to launch a national consultation exercise to find out what the public as well as the party thinks it should be doing in the future, if re-elected."

Mr Bayley is part of the New Agenda Group of Labour MPs, which has recently held talks on asylum, transport and Iraq.

Updated: 15:08 Monday, November 24, 2003