Lee Anderson has been unveiled by Reform UK as the party’s first MP in a press conference this morning.
“I want my country back”, Anderson told reporters this morning as he justified his decision.
He said: “Over the last year or so I’ve had to do a lot of soul-searching on my political journey and I don’t expect much in politics other than to be able to speak my mind and speak on behalf of my friends, family and my constituents”.
He added: “It’s not controversial to be concerned about illegal immigration. It’s not controversial to be concerned about legal migration.
“It’s not controversial to be worried, concerned, about the Metropolitan Police and a failing London Mayor and the hate marches and the street crime and the shoplifters literally getting away with ruining businesses on a daily basis”.
The former deputy chairman of the Conservative Party was suspended from the Tories last month over his refusal to apologise for his claims that Islamists had “got control” of Sadiq Khan and of London.
Speaking to GB News in February, Anderson said the London Mayor had “given our capital away” to Islamists.
“I don’t actually believe that the Islamists have got control of our country, but what I do believe is they’ve got control of Khan and they’ve got control of London… He’s actually given our capital city away to his mates”, he said.
The comments sparked significant backlash, with Khan calling them “Islamophobic, anti-Muslim and racist”.
The defection, which will be a significant blow to Rishi Sunak, follows weeks of speculation about the Ashfield MP’s next moves.
Many Conservative MPs had supported Lee Anderson being reinstated among their rank.
Unveiling his first MP today, Reform leader Richard Tice said: “In the Red Wall this election we want to replace the Tories as the main alternative to ‘Starmergeddon’, that’s what it is, a nightmare, coming to everyone near you in 2024”.
He added: “Which we means we need a champion, of course, of the Red Wall, someone who completely understands it, who is trusted by voters to tell it as it is, no nonsense, no waffle, clear, basic, common sense. And I’m delighted to announce that I have found that champion …
“He is of course a person of great integrity, no nonsense, and is the Member of Parliament in the county of Nottinghamshire for Ashfield [Lee Anderson].”
On social media this morning, Tice announced he would be making a “major” announcement. He opened proceedings by mocking chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s statement at the budget that the “plan is working”.
“It’s not the plan of the British people to get poorer”, he said.
Tice also said the public is “appalled” at the “pro-Hamas” marches each week, with the Jewish community “living in fear”.
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Lee Anderson is not good enough for Reform UK, suggests deputy leader Ben Habib
