THERE is a deafening silence from Downing Street on the scathing attack launched on Tony Blair and New Labour by Gwent MP Llew Smith, pictured. But the Argus takes a look at the local reaction to the blast

Llew Smith's mauling of his party's leader provoked a mixed reaction in his Blaenau Gwent constituency.

Peter Law, Labour's Assembly Member for Blaenau Gwent, is threatening to stand against official Labour Party candidate Maggie Jones as an independent in the General Election - in protest against New Labour's policy of all- women shortlists.

By doing so he would sacrifice his membership of the party.

Mr Law said his Westminster counterpart was the conscience of the Labour Party and added: "I am concerned that we are losing our traditional socialist Labour agenda through the Blairist approach.

"We need a return to old values but that's not going to happen under New Labour and we presently have too many people putting their careers before their principles.

"Llew speaks for the vast majority of the people living in his constituency in Blaenau Gwent where they do hold the more traditional Labour values.

"I disagree with Llew on a number of issues but I admire his strength and conviction - he is very much a conscience of the Labour Party and long may others like him speak out for what they believe.

"I think he has been repressed by the leadership as it suits them not to have to hear what he's got to say."

Tom Hopkins, chairman of the Blaenau Gwent Constituency Labour Party, said he was "bitterly disappointed" with Mr Smith's comments, and added: "Blaenau Gwent always has had and always will have the important Labour values at heart and for Llew to attack the Labour Party is unjustifiable."

And Hedley McCarthy, a Labour Blaenau Gwent councillor, said he recognises the disaffection local Labour voters have in New Labour but said: "Whatever is going on in the party doesn't compare with 18 years of Tory rule. And besides, being 'against everything' has become Llew Smith's trademark."

A Downing Street official said: "We don't comment on party political issues such as this, you'll get your response from the Labour Party."

Despite us asking Welsh Secretary Peter Hain and Labour candidate Maggie Jones for comment, it was left to a Wales Labour Party press officer to say: "Llew Smith has strong opinions on many subjects, and his views on the Prime Minister are well known and frequently expressed.

"People in Blaenau Gwent haven't forgotten the Tory years and they know this is just a distraction from the real choice facing people at the next election, between going forward with Labour or back with the Tories. "The choice is between waking up to either a Labour government or a Tory government."