Ooops Dave

[sir.prize]

Another Tory defects to UKIP

http://www.express.co.uk/news/uk/517084/Ukip-defector-Richard-Barnes-Conservatives

[Gromit]

He is a bit of a non-entity though. Not an MP so no by election.

[Hopkirk]

Not even a current Conservative party member - he left a couple of years ago

[youngmafbog]

Not quite the Tory bashing you had hoped for is it.

It is no surprise, there will be many others.

Post as a news item when a labour person defects.

[joggerjayne]

I don't get it.

The Concervatives are the only party in which the Europe-In-Or-Out question is seriously discussed.

The Libs are "all in".

The Trots are "all in".

UKIP will never be in a position of power to offer a choice.

So, any defection which adversely affects the Conservatives just reduces the chances of any serious prospect of reducing the influence of the EU.

[ludwig]

// any defection which adversely affects the Conservatives just reduces the chances of any serious prospect of reducing the influence of the EU. //

You're assuming he cares about that, but there's often more to these defections than meets the eye. It's usually some disgruntled type that didn't get the job they wanted, trying to damage their old party in an act of sour grapes. Timed for maximum effect when the conference is on.

[naomi24]

Well, if he isn't a member of the Conservative party, he can't have defected. It's complete tosh.

[mikey4444]

There will be another Tory-Traitor MP later on this week, as the rumours have it. In the meantime, this will do to keep the pot simmering !

Joggerjane...I don't understand it either and I have been saying the same for over a year. A vote for UKIP just makes a Labour victory next May easier, and a referendum on EU membership even more remote. A wasted vote, in other words, unless you are a Labour voter, like me !

[jno]

probably got annoyed at Boris saying anyone who joined UKIP was utterly nuts.

[Hopkirk]

Good old Boris, always great for a laugh.

[jourdain2]

Shoot me down if you want, but is it possible that these people are joining UKIP in order to pressure the Tories into taking a tougher line on Europe? They could then return to the fold before the election? Just a thought....