LABOUR stalwart Tony Benn joined the call to Blaenau Gwent voters to support the party's candidate Maggie Jones at a May Day rally yesterday.

The 80-year-old politician was at the "rally in the valleys" in Brynmawr, which was attended by around 150 people.

The former MP, who represented both Bristol south east and Chesterfield, voiced his support for the official Labour candidate - saying he believed voting Labour was the only way to solve the world's problems.

Mr Benn's visit to Brynmawr - along with Welsh Secretary Peter Hain and First Minister Rhodri Morgan - comes just three days before the toughest General Election that Labour has faced in Blaenau Gwent.

Previously the safest seat in Wales, Labour has admitted it now faces a 'real challenge' in the constituency.

Assembly Member Peter Law left Labour to stand as an independent candidate, in protest at an all-women shortlist being imposed on the constituency.

Mr Benn, who joined the Labour ranks 63 years ago, would not be drawn yesterday to comment personally on Mr Law's decision to stand against Labour, saying he was there to support the local Labour candidate.

He told the Argus, however: "I am sorry when people leave the Labour Party, yes, we should all be working together.

"I disagreed with them Labour over the war in Iraq - but I have never even considered leaving Labour."

He added the Iraq war had been "illegal, immoral and unwinnable" and that the bloodshed was still going on.

But he said: "I am supporting Labour candidates up and down the country because voting Labour is the only way of solving the problems of the world."

He added, however: "People can make up their own minds. The vote is sacred.

"My own opinion is the Labour Government is the right thing - but I accept people have different views and that is up to them. I am voting Labour and hope other people do the same."

l The other candidates in Blaenau Gwent are Dr Phillip Lee, Con; Brian Thomas, Lib Dem; John Price, Plaid Cymru; and Peter Osborne (UKIP).