Sunday, March 20, 2005
Reg Keys
Blair to face anti-war opponent
In the forthcoming General Election, The father of a Royal Military Policeman from north Wales who died in Iraq is to stand against Prime Minister Tony Blair in the general election.
Reg Keys had previously said he would contest Defence Minister Geoff Hoon's seat, but has decided to switch his attack to Mr Blair's Sedgefield base.
Lance Corporal Thomas Keys, 20, was one of six Red Caps killed on 24 June 2003 by a mob of more than 400 Iraqis.
Mr Keys announced the change after an anti-war march in London on Saturday.
Speaking about the change of target, 52-year-old Mr Keys, from Llanuwchllyn near Bala, said it was to continue the fight for "justice" for his son and the other dead men.
He said: "This isn't a publicity stunt, it's a serious, full-blown political campaign to take the fight to Tony Blair's doorstep.
"There will be crackpots standing as independents but I shouldn't be confused with them. I want to make him accountable for his actions in taking us to war.
"I will be travelling to Sedgefield on Monday and, unlike Tony Blair, I shall not be a candidate who only visits the constituency once in a blue moon.
"I will be touching base with constituents to find out what they think I can do for them.
"I have got to be confident about this. My full intention is to remove Tony Blair from his seat in Sedgefield and I have to believe I can do that.
"It will be a David and Goliath fight, but Goliath was a Philistine and I think that word sums up my opponent."
Reg Keys, 52, called on the Conservatives and Liberal Democrats not to field candidates in Mr Blair’s Sedgefield constituency so that he had a clear run.
He also asked ex-MI5 officer David Shayler, who has announced he will stand in Sedgefield, to withdraw.
I always find it fascinating to see the array of independant candidates who decide to stand for Parliament and choose the Prime Minister's constituency to air their grievances. The natural result of course is that the more people who stand, split the votes amongst themselves even further, so that any real intentions of embarassing the Prime Minister become further watered down. Lots of deposits end up being thrown away in an honourable but futile attempt to gain further publicity for their grievances.
Reg Key's story as the Scotsman reports it.
The weekend sport
Another win for Sunderland saw them taking the top spot in the Championship, two points ahead of Wigan. It was not an easy game against Coventry City who provided stern opposition to a very flat footed Sunderland in the first half. Tactical substitutuions in the second half with the introductions of Sean Thornton, Chris Brown, and the superb Andy Welsh firmly changed the pattern of the game. Within minutes Chris Brown saw his first shot rebound off the post, a few seconds later another effort from Wright shaved the woodwork. Good interplay between Welsh, Thornton, Robinson and finally Chris Brown saw the young striker hit the back of the net from about twenty yards out.
The 29,400 crowd raised it's voice in a crescendo that sounded like 100,000 at the old Wembley, bringing back fading memories of the Roker Roar.
"We're on our way!"
Finally, in the first leg of the F.A. Vase semi-final, Didcott gained a 1-0 advantage over Jarrow Roofing, so all is not lost for this local team. Let's wish them well for the second leg next Saturday. Kick off is at 3.00 p.m. at the Boldon Colliery C.A. ground, behind the Shack.
It would be so good for this Borough to be sending two of it's teams to London to play in a national final this year.
Remeber, Westoe RFC will be playing in the final of the Powergen Intermediate Cup against Morley at Twickenham in April.
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