Blair faces constituency resignation
A senior figure in Tony Blair’s local Labour Party has resigned from the party to back independent candidate Reg Keys.
Derek Cattell – who has been on Sedgefield Labour Party’s committee for ten years – said that he could no longer vote for Labour through “gritted teeth”.
Mr Cattell said that the decision had been “very hard” but the decision to go to war in Iraq had “raised many questions regarding the honesty and integrity of his leadership”.
He will now be lending his support to Mr Keys’ campaign to oust Mr Blair and will attend a campaign press conference today at Mr Keys’ headquarters to express his support publicly.
Mr Keys – whose son was killed in Iraq – is standing on a primarily anti-war platform. He claims that the war in Iraq was illegal and accuses Mr Blair of misleading the country.
Mr Cattell will say: “I have been a member of the Labour Party for 30 years and this decision has been very hard for me. But I have become increasingly concerned by a growing number of issues associated with Tony Blair’s leadership, none more so than the decision to go to war with Iraq. This decision has raised many questions regarding the honesty and integrity of his leadership.
“I have therefore decided to leave the Labour Party and sign Reg Keys’ nomination papers, as Keys is the only candidate who can defeat Blair and is, indeed, well placed to do so.”
Mr Keys’ agent, Bob Clay, said: “Derek’s decision is indicative of a great deal of disquiet amongst Sedgefield Labour Party members and this will be reflected in the vote. We therefore call once again on the Conservative and Liberal Democrat parties not to submit their candidates’ nomination papers and give Reg Keys a clear run against Blair.”
Former MI5 officer David Shayler, who was to stand against Mr Blair, announced over the weekend that he would be withdrawing his candidacy to back Mr Keys.
