British Democracy Forum - View Single Post - Tory rebel Bob Spink becomes Ukip's first MP !!!!

Anthony Butcher · 22-04-2008, 09:18 AM

This is a round up of the news coverage:
UK Independence Party - UKIP welcomes its first MP

Quote:

The UK Independence Party is delighted to welcome Dr Bob Spink, MP for Castle Point in Essex, as its first Member of Parliament.

Dr Spink has joined UKIP to help fight the European Union and to argue for more relevant policies at Westminster on issues that concern the British people.

Dr Spink said: “I am delighted to join the UKIP team, helping to fight for Britain's interests in Europe and for better policy on the issues that really matter to people.

“I have been increasingly disappointed with the Tory Party's failure to be honest with the public on a wide range of issues such as pensions, crime, immigration and defence, which is why I voted against the Tory whip so often in recent years and finally resigned the whip last month.

“I am delighted to join a strong UKIP team in which I will continue to fight for the primacy of our Parliament, our democracy and freedoms. I am pro, not anti-European, but positive and sensible co-operation with the EU does not require us to sell the British people down the river or to give our independence away.”

UKIP leader Nigel Farage said: “I am delighted to welcome the hard working and deeply principled Bob Spink as UKIP's first Member of Parliament.

"As Bob is a signatory to the ‘Better Off Out’ campaign, joining UKIP was a logical step."

UKIP Peer, Lord Willoughby de Broke said: "I am thrilled that UKIP now has a representative in the House of Commons. I look forward to working with him to further UKIP's programme of leaving the European Union.”

BBC NEWS | Politics | Ex-Tory MP Spink defects to UKIP

Quote:

The UK Independence Party has its first MP after former Conservative Bob Spink announced he is to join its ranks.
Mr Spink resigned the Tory whip last month in a row over apparent efforts by his local party to deselect him.
He claims the Conservatives have been "dishonest" over their Europe policies and says a by-election in his Castle Point constituency is unnecessary.
UKIP say they are "delighted" about their new recruit. Senior Tories say they are "relaxed" about the move.
Mr Spink said he had decided to leave the Conservatives after years of being "disenchanted" with the party.
'Logical step'
He accused them of being "dishonest" with the public over a wide range of issues, including Europe, pensions, crime, immigration and defence.

"I voted against the Tory whip 22 times in the last session, on issues such as equality for women on pensions, which I think is a good thing, and on defence issues, and getting tough on crime, issues that really concern the people of this country," he told BBC's Five Live Breakfast.
"I think that politics is becoming increasingly dishonourable at Westminster and I am delighted to be joining a strong UKIP team so that we can get some meat on these domestic policies."
UKIP leader Nigel Farage said: "I am delighted to welcome the hard-working and deeply principled Bob Spink as UKIP's first Member of Parliament.
"As Bob is a signatory to the 'Better Off Out' campaign, joining UKIP was a logical step."
UKIP peer Lord Willoughby de Broke said: "I am thrilled that UKIP now has a representative in the House of Commons.
"I look forward to working with him to further UKIP's programme of leaving the European Union."
Deselection claims
Mr Spink has sometimes been a controversial figure who fell out with the Conservative leadership following bitter rows with his local constituency.
In February he claimed members of his local Conservative Association had been working to deselect him.
During the 2005 general election campaign he was accused of whipping up racial tension for running a newspaper advert on immigration, headlined: "What bit of 'send them back' don't you understand Mr Blair?"
Mr Spink is the third Conservative MP to lose the Tory whip in the last year. The others were Derek Conway and Andrew Pelling. Quentin Davies defected to Labour in June 2007. Mr Spink was first elected to Parliament in 1992, but lost his seat in 1997, before regaining it in 2001.

Spink Joins Uk Independence Party (from Echo)

Quote:

CASTLE Point MP Bob Spink has joined the UK Independence Party.
The former Tory, who resigned the Conservative whip last month, now becomes the first UKIP MP in the House of Commons.
Mr Spink accused the Conservative Party, which expelled him last month, of being "dishonest" with the public over its policies on Europe.
He also insisted that despite the change there was no need for a by-election in his Castle Point, Essex, constituency.

Dr Spink said he was looking forward to a new and exciting political future with the party.
He said: "I am delighted to join the UKIP team, helping to fight for British interests in Europe and for better policy on domestic issues.
"I have been increasingly disappointed with the failure of the main parties to be honest with the public to listen on issues that people are concerned about like pensions, crime, immigration, development and infrastructure."
The MP added: "UKIP provides and alternative that's not the BNP and a party that listens to the people." The party's leader, Nigel Farage, said: "I am delighted to welcome the hard working and deeply principled Bob Spink as our first Member of Parliament.
UKIP peer Lord Willoughby de Broke added: "I am thrilled that UKIP now has a representative in the House of Commons. I look forward to working with him to further our programme of leaving the European Union."