RESPECT are targeting traditional Labour voters as they hope to cause an upset in the Hartlepool by-election.

New Labour came in for considerable criticism when candidate John Bloom was joined by rebel MP George Galloway for a Respect rally in the town.

Mr Bloom told more than 100 supporters who had gathered at a town centre hotel: "Not only do we stand a good chance of a good result in this election, we are in with a fighting chance of winning.

"New Labour has let people down badly over the past seven years and we need to send a message to Tony Blair.

"Voting Liberal Democrat will send a small volley of disapproval over his head, but if you really want to kick him where it hurts, vote Respect.

"You can help Respect write Tony Blair's political obituary, here in this town.

"I can hear David Dimbleby's words on election night in my head: 'New Labour - born in Islington, died in Iraq, buried tonight in Hartlepool'."

Mr Bloom received rapturous applause for a passionate speech in which he promised to put constituents first and fight for what is right.

Mr Galloway, who was expelled from the Labour Party last October for his outspoken opposition to the war in Iraq, said: "We have a fighting chance of winning in this constituency. I believe there is a critical mass of opinion developing in this country which is saying 'this is not as good as it gets, this is not all there is, and we want representatives who say what they mean and mean what they say'."

To a standing ovation, he ended: "The fight starts in Hartlepool this evening. Make Hartlepool bloom. Elect John Bloom."