Belfast trades unionist Mr Andy McGivern was today anxiously awaiting the result of a Labour Party conference vote on whether people in Northern Ireland should be allowed to become members.
As tellers counted the vote on a National Executive Committee motion recommending full membership for people in Northern Ireland, Mr McGivern said he hoped delegates would end the ban on people from the North. The result is expected by mid-morning.
The GMB deputy senior steward said: "We have put our case to the party at this conference. "I would hope that the vote goes our way and that we do not have to proceed with the legal action we are taking against Labour.
"This is the party that I have always wanted to be a part of and I believe people in Northern Ireland should have the right to join. "People in Northern Ireland should have an alternative to the polarised politics that currently exists."
Mr McGivern's legal action against Labour is due to be heard in November in London.
The GMB has backed his case which is being made on the grounds that the ban on Northern Ireland members is racist.
Labour has traditionally cited its links with Mr Mark Durkan's Social Democratic and Labour Party in Northern Ireland as a reason for not allowing members there.
Both parties are members of the socialist umbrella group, the Party of European Socialists.
PA