Miners' leader Arthur Scargill will tonight officially launch the York branch of his rival to New Labour.

The Socialist Labour Party, founded by Mr Scargill, is looking to recruit disillusioned Labour supporters at this evening's public meeting.

The party promises "mass meetings" rather than orchestrated party political conferences and believes capitalism should be replaced with a system more accountable to the people.

Keith Fox, of the York SLP, said: "Labour Party members are warmly invited but we will be discussing how the Party has failed, such as over student tuition fees and benefits cuts to single mothers."

He said: "The SLP is a party of socialism that believes in parliamentary democracy. We can't work for change without it, and it has been eroded over the years to be worth nothing now."

Dave Ellis, chairman of the York Labour Party, claimed Mr Scargill's rival party was wasting its time.

"I am surprised they think it is worth coming to York. I can't see they are going to have a very successful meeting," he said.

"One can never be absolutely sure, but the members I deal with are very happy with the general thrust of what the party is doing. I have no evidence of members resigning to join another party.

"I can't say that every member agrees with everything Labour has done since May 1 last year. We are not sycophants, but we do feel that the Government is doing a good job."

He claimed the York Labour Party's membership had risen by more than 50 per cent since Tony Blair became leader in 1994.

Tonight's meeting is being held at the Crescent WMC, behind the Odeon cinema in Blossom Street, at 7.30pm.

Speakers include Mr Scargill, Mr Fox and Lesley Kipling, of the party's Yorkshire regional executive committee.

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