THE Conservative Party has chosen a key military figure to stand in the forthcoming General Election in Tony Blair's Sedgefield constituency.
As the British military spokesman, former fighter pilot Group Captain Al Lockwood was the public face of the Armed Forces during the Iraq war, but turned to politics after he left the RAF this year.
The 53-year-old was a last-minute choice for the Tories after original choice Danny Kruger stood down because of a remark published in a national newspaper.
Mr Lockwood, understood to be "pro-war, but anti-Blair", is campaigning on tax, education and crime issues.
Earlier this week, Reg Keys, the father of a Royal Military Police officer killed in Iraq, announced his intention to stand for the seat.
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