It was the post-war socialist Labour government that made it possible for me, the son of a coal miner, to go to University.

Ever since, millions of children have enjoyed health and educational facilities that were denied to my parents.

Most voters want the Labour Party to defend the Welfare State that it created and for future generations to have the same chance in life as us.

I am a candidate for the Socialist Labour Party because it is the natural successor to the Labour Party that created the Welfare State.

I believe everyone, regardless of income, should have equal access to health, education and social services.

Sadly, many who have benefited from the Welfare State now seek to dismantle it.

The Tories always opposed the Welfare State. They liked education to be a privilege of the rich and always supported queue-jumping private health care.

When they got a chance, they began to dismantle the Welfare State. By the time Thatcher left office, most of our railway and bus services and gas, electricity, coal, water and telephones had been sold at knockdown prices.

In opposition, Labour promised to reverse many of these measures. In practice, it continues Thatcherite policies.

At first it may have seemed only a tactic to make Labour attractive to middle-England middle-class voters. By now however, with Blair seeking to privatise schools and hospitals - a measure that not even Mrs. Thatcher had attempted - it is obvious that Blair is just a closet Tory.

His plans for education, health, new nuclear weapons and his support for George W Bush have nothing in common with the ideals of the old Labour Party.

The sooner he goes the better.

On a personal level, I am a Consulting Chemical Engineer with a keen professional interest in environmental issues.

I have been a peace campaigner since school and I am a Vice-President of CND today. If elected, I would contribute on all these issues.

The Socialist Labour Party is targeting the regional list election where, in 2003, Labour won 76,000 regional votes but no seats.

This allowed two Tories to win with only half that many votes. As every vote for Labour will again be wasted this year (in the regional list election), it makes sense for all Labour supporters to vote Socialist Labour to defeat both Tories.