Sedgefield constituents show signs of discontent

Tony Blair's own constituents are torn between their discontent with the prime minister and their lack of faith in his political opponents.

People in Sedgefield said they were unhappy with the Labour leader, but they also criticised the other main parties.

"I think Blair is bad news. I'm basically a socialist and we haven't got a socialist government. I can't vote Co-nservative and I don't think the Liberals could run the country because they have-n't got the resources," said Mike Ellis, a retired archite-ct who is backing independent candidate Reg Keys.

Sedgefield, in the north of England, is a Labour stronghold but there are signs of discontent.

Alan Halliday, 49, said: "I believe Tony Blair is an absolute liar. I think he lied to us over the war and he lied to us about his tax promises.

"We are not better off at all. We have got a booming economy but the money doesn't seem to be drifting down to the right areas. The money he is putting into education is absolutely wasted and the children are not getting a better education."

Earnest Wharton, who was born in Sedgefield, said he went to church with the Blair family and found the Prime Minister "very nice socially".

The 65-year-old wants Labour to win the General Election, but is also an admirer of Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy.

"I like him, but I don't think his party will form a government. He hasn't got the experience really," Wharton said.

He believes anger over Britain's involvement in Iraq should not be used against the Prime Minister.

"The war isn't an issue for me because it had to come eventually. They talk a lot about Tony Blair lying, but [Conservative leader] Michael Howard said himself he would go to war so it doesn't make much difference. I wouldn't say I supported the war, but I am not actually against it," Wharton told said.