Scargill's party to fight Blair

Arthur Scargill announced yesterday that his breakaway Socialist Labour Party would be fielding a candidate in Tony Blair's Sedgefield constituency at the next general election.

Speaking at the formal launch of his party, the National Union of Mineworkers' president said this would be one of at least seven candidates the party would be putting up.

The SLP contested the Hemsworth by-election in February. The party's candidate, Brenda Nixon, just managed to salvage her deposit.

Outlining SLP policies at the Great Northern Hotel in London, Mr Scargill said the party was committed to full employment, would abolish the monarchy and the House of Lords, withdraw from the European Union, abolish anti-trade union legislation, and restore the NHS and social services.