Lee Anderson has defected from the Conservative Party to Reform UK as the Tories are “no longer aligned with best serving the United Kingdom.”
Anderson has issued a statement on social media to his “loyal constituents, donors’ supporters and my family.”
Anderson said that since his suspension over the past weeks it has been “turbulent” and he has felt he has been “cast aside” by the Tory Party.
He was suspended over his comments about the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan which many said were Islamophobic.
The Reform Party now have their first MP and the defection will be a major blow for Rishi Sunak and the Conservatives ahead of the general election.
Anderson said in his post that he feels he has been “unsupported and cast aside” by the Tories and he has been “left to feel politically isolated for representing” his constituents.
He added, I “always stand by the people of Ashfield regardless of the party” he is a member off.
Anderson said that since being suspended he has had the “opportunity to really consider the direction of the Conservative Party and how this aligns with the needs and requirements of the real people in Ashfield and Britain.
“I cannot support the direction of the Conservative Party while it does not best serve the needs of the people in Ashfield and also Britain.
“It is time to take back Britain and reinforce the messages of the People of Britain and my loyal constituents in Ashfield.”
Anderson was previously Labour then Conservative and has now defected again.
He said, “I endeavoured to not move parties again unless there was a serious justification or the party I represented no longer aligned with best serving the United Kingdom and the people of Ashfield.”
He has accused the Conservatives for moving him “aside” as he spoke “the truth of the people.”
He added the Reform Party have “agreed to support my message and the voices of my constituents.”
