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Executive Member of Blair's Local Party Resigns to Support Reg Keys

KEYS FOR SEDGEFIELD CAMPAIGN

PRESS INFORMATION - EMBARGO BROUGHT FORWARD - NOW MIDNIGHT TONIGHT: Mon April 18th 2005 - 00:00
(change to text)

At a press conference at the offices of the Keys for Sedgefield Campaign at 11.30 on Monday 18 April, Sedgefield Labour Party Executive Committee member Derek Cattell of Windlestone, Co Durham, will resign his membership of the party and join the campaign to elect Reg Keys as Independent MP for Sedgefield.

'I have been a member of the Labour Party for 30 years', Cattell will say, '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.'

Bob Clay, Reg Keys' agent, said today:

'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.'

The following people will be present:
Derek Cattell
Reg Keys
Martin Bell
Bob Clay

ENDS

Jane Mayes
01325 321 862
07748 640 183

NB: DEREK CATTELL NOT AVAILABLE FOR COMMENT TONIGHT

Notes to editors:

1/ Derek Cattell has been a member of the Labour Party for 30 years and a member of the Executive Ctee of Sedgefield Labour Party for about ten years. He was a fulltime regional officer of the GMB union for 20 years, and is, until his resignation tomorrow, the GMB representative on Sedgefield Labour Party EC.

2/ The full text of his resignation letter will be made available at the press conference.

3/ The press conference will be held at the headquarters of the Keys for Sedgefield Campaign (below)

4/ Previous press releases can be found at http://www.keysforsedgefield.org.uk

Reg Keys Campaign
Block 2
Ground Floor
St. Cuthbert's House
Durham Way North
Newton Aycliffe
DL5 6HW

by Jane Mayes

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