By NewsBlogger Former Conservative Party member Lee Anderson has joined Nigel Farage’s Reform UK after being suspended for Islamophobic remarks, with projections suggesting he may lose his seat to Labour in the upcoming election, sparking reactions from various political parties.
At a glance
- Former Conservative Party member Lee Anderson joins Nigel Farage’s Reform UK after suspension for Islamophobic remarks about Sadiq Khan.
- Anderson believes Conservative Party stifled free speech by disciplining him.
- Richard Tice welcomes Anderson as a champion of Red Wall and is trusted by voters.
- Anderson’s parents told him they could not vote for him unless he joined Reform.
- Anderson is to sit as MP for Reform and intends to stand for the party in the upcoming election.
The details
Former Conservative Party member Lee Anderson has recently joined Nigel Farage’s Reform UK after being suspended by the Tories for making Islamophobic remarks about London mayor Sadiq Khan.
Anderson believes the Conservative Party was stifling free speech by disciplining him for speaking his mind.
Richard Tice, the leader of Reform UK, welcomed Anderson as a champion of the red wall and someone trusted by voters to speak honestly.
The announcement of Anderson’s defection occurred during a chaotic event in Westminster, where it was revealed that his parents had told him they could not vote for him unless he joined Reform.
As a result, Anderson will now sit as an MP for Reform and intends to stand for the party in the upcoming election.
Projections suggest that Anderson may lose his seat to Labour’s candidate, Rhea Keehn, in the next election.
Reform UK is currently polling at around 12 percent, while the Conservatives are at 24 percent.
The party has seen double-digit shares of the vote in two recent by-elections.
Despite the defection, Anderson and Tice have ruled out holding a by-election.
Labour leader Keir Starmer stated that it is up to Anderson to decide whether to call a by-election.
The New Conservatives group reacted strongly to Anderson’s defection, with Tobias Ellwood accusing him of engaging in Trumpism and populism.
The Liberal Democrats claimed that Anderson’s departure weakened Chancellor Sunak’s authority.
This is the third political party that Anderson has represented in the past six years.
Labour’s Ashfield candidate Rhea Keehn has called for a fresh start with a Labour government and MP. The political landscape is set for further shifts as Anderson’s move to Reform UK continues to reverberate across party lines.
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| independent.co.uk |
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| – Lee Anderson has joined Nigel Farage’s Reform UK after being suspended by the Tories for making Islamophobic remarks about London mayor Sadiq Khan – Anderson accused the Conservative Party of stifling free speech and found it unpalatable that he was disciplined for speaking his mind – Richard Tice, leader of Reform UK, welcomed Anderson as a champion of the red wall trusted by voters to tell it as it is – Anderson’s defection was announced during a chaotic event in Westminster – Anderson’s parents told him they could not vote for him unless he joined Reform – Anderson will now sit as an MP for Reform and will stand for the party at the next election – Projections show Anderson is on course to lose the seat to Labour’s candidate Rhea Keehn – The Conservative Party suspended Anderson for making Islamophobic remarks about Sadiq Khan – Reform is currently polling at around 12 per cent while the Conservatives are on 24 per cent – Reform scored double-digit shares of the vote in two February by-elections – Anderson and Tice ruled out holding a by-election after the defection – Labour leader Keir Starmer said it’s a matter for Anderson whether he calls a by-election – The New Conservatives group reacted furiously to Anderson’s defection – Tobias Ellwood accused Anderson of engaging in Trumpism and populism – The Liberal Democrats said Sunak’s authority lies in tatters after Anderson’s defection – Anderson is representing his third political party in six years – Labour’s Ashfield candidate Rhea Keehn called for a fresh start with a Labour government and MP |
