LEADING Labour figures today warned any would-be opponents to Jack Straw for the Blackburn ticket in the next election: "You'll face a tough fight."

Rumours have been growing within the Blackburn Labour Party that Mr Straw may not be automatically re-selected as the party's candidate for the next General Election, either next year or in 2005.

With a large number of Asian members, it has been predicted that Mr Straw may face an opponent because of his stance on the war in Iraq.

The re-selection process, which has been a formality since Mr Straw first became MP in 1979, has been delayed until the autumn because of the Foreign Secretary's involvement in the war.

Before the war began, Asian Labour party members warned that their support for the MP would no longer be "unconditional" because of his views.

Chairman of Blackburn Labour Party, Councillor Maureen Bateson, said: "There is no doubt that Jack has the executive's backing.

"He has had to wrestle with decisions which I am sure he did not join the Labour Party to have to take.

"He has taken decisions he would rather not have done, but he is not a warmonger and did everything he could to find another solution.

"There are dissenting voices within Blackburn Labour Party but Jack has done a first class job for the town and I cannot think of anyone within the Labour Party in Blackburn who could even begin to do the sort of job Jack has done."

She added: "We have put the re-selection back, and for a very good reason.

"It would not be fair on Jack to have to deal with that while he is dealing with a war as Foreign Secretary. It will take place before the end of the year."

Councillor Mohammed Khan, executive member for housing at the council, said: "There has been a lot of talk about the war in Iraq and pressure on us.

"He has not been helped by what has been said in America because some people have felt.

"I think Jack still has the support but it has been a difficult time."

And Mr Straw's election agent, council leader Bill Taylor, added: "Anyone who does stand against Jack will be seen as an opportunist who I believe will face a tough fight against Jack, whose record speaks for him."

Mr Straw told the Evening Telegraph: "Selection procedures are a matter for the local party.

"I never comment on internal party business."