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

Anthony Butcher · 22-04-2008, 09:19 AM

UKIP gains its first MP - UK Politics, UK - The Independent

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The UK Independence Party gained its first member of Parliament today after former Tory MP Bob Spink announced he had joined its ranks.
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.
"I was elected as Bob Spink... I work hard for my constituents and I will continue to do so," he said on BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
"I am following to the letter every word that I promised them in my manifesto and I only wish that the parties were doing the same, including the Tory Party.
"They heap criticism on other parties for bringing (the EU Reform Treaty) forward, and yet they refuse point blank to do anything about it if they get power.
"That is a dishonest position to hold with the public."
Mr Spink is a controversial figure who fell out with the Tory leadership after bitter rows with his local constituency party.
He was first elected to Parliament in 1992, losing his seat in 1997 but then regaining it in 2001.
Mr Spink insisted today that he planned to continue in elected politics "for a long time".
In a statement released by Ukip, Mr 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 like 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."
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."

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/liv...n_page_id=1770

Quote:

The UK Independence Party will today gain its first seat in Parliament after a former Tory MP agreed to join the single-issue party.

Bob Spink, the MP for Castle Point in Essex, who was expelled from the Conservative Party last month, will represent the Eurosceptic group after becoming "increasingly disappointed" with David Cameron's leadership.
The defection was heralded as a coup by Ukip, with its leader depicting Mr Spink as a "deeply principled" man.
Speaking last night, Mr 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."
Last month, the Conservatives withdrew the whip from the backbencher.
The Essex MP claimed he had quit the Parliamentary party over its leaders' failure to tackle "serious criminal and other irregularities" in his constituency.
But this was contradicted by Tory officials, who said he had been suspended by chief whip Patrick McLoughlin after threatening to resign.
Mr Spink, a self-made millionaire, has been involved in a long-running dispute with his local Tory association, which has twice tried to remove him.
Well-placed sources said grassroots Tories felt the married father-of-four had "brought the association into disrepute", after he began a relationship with a councillor.
But last night, Mr Spink, 59, launched a fresh broadside against his former party, telling The Daily Telegraph: "I have been increasingly disappointed with the Tory Party's failure to be honest with the public on a wide range of issues like pensions, crime, immigration and defence.
"Dishonesty over the EU Constitution is the Tories' greatest failure. They heap criticism on other parties, but refuse to remove the constitution if they ever get power.
"The public see this as opportunistic and hypocritical, but sadly, it is typical of Westminster politics. It is little wonder the public hold politicians in such contempt."
Nigel Farage, Ukip's leader said: "I am delighted to welcome the hard-working and deeply principled Bob Spink as Ukip's 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 Ukip's programme of leaving the European Union."
Conservative sources last night played down the defection, after the party's public falling out with Mr Spink. Following his removal from the party, well-placed sources said grassroots Tories felt Mr Spink had "brought the association into disrepute".

Ukip gains first MP as Bob Spink finds new Commons role

Quote:

The UK Independence party (Ukip) has gained a foothold in the Commons as former Conservative backbencher Bob Spink becomes the party's first MP.

It comes after the MP for Castle Point in Essex lost the Tory whip after remarks about failing to root out corruption in the local party.

Mr Spink, one of the Commons' most vocal opponents of abortion, said he had become "increasingly disappointed" with the Conservatives' drift to the centre-right.

He explained his disagreements on issues like pensions, crime, immigration and defence had led to him voting against the Tory whip frequently in recent years.

On the EU, Ukip's most prominent issue, he added: "I am pro, not anti-European, but positive and sensible cooperation 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 described Mr Spink as "hard-working and deeply principled" and described his decision to join the party as a "logical step" to take given his beliefs.

Difficulties with Mr Spink's constituency party were key to his departure. Mr Spink had accused his local party of "serious criminal and other irregularities",

That led to chief whip Patrick McLoughlin withdrawing the whip prior to Mr Spink's resignation, a claim Mr Spink dismissed as "brass-knecked dishonesty".

It was reported locally that Mr Spink had fallen out with local councillor Bill Sharp after being romantically linked to his partner Gail Boland, a former councillor.