Following his defection from the Conservative Party to Reform UK, Lee Anderson has been expelled from the Carlton Club, amidst reactions of betrayal within the Tory ranks.
Lee Anderson, previously the Tory deputy chairman, has been expelled from the Carlton Club following his switch to Reform UK. The Carlton Club, a renowned members-only establishment favored by Conservatives, requested Anderson to resign his membership within a week to avert expulsion. This action was in response to his defection from the Conservative Party, which he announced just hours before the club’s decision.
Anderson’s move to Reform UK was unveiled shortly after he was deprived of the Tory whip due to his controversial comments regarding London Mayor Sadiq Khan. His new affiliation with Reform UK marks him as the party’s inaugural MP, with Richard Tice, the leader of Reform UK, welcoming him as a key figure for the “Red Wall” regions. Nigel Farage, a figurehead for Brexit, underscored the significance of Anderson’s defection to the political landscape in Westminster.
The defection has provoked a sense of betrayal and disillusionment amongst Conservative members, despite earlier indications that Anderson might return to the party. His departure has been branded as disloyal, with the suggestion that even an apology may not be enough to repair the damaged relationships.
This event follows Anderson’s previous criticisms of Reform UK, where he argued that the party’s existence could inadvertently pave the way for Keir Starmer, the Labour leader, to enter Number 10. Despite his switch to Reform UK, Anderson had expressed doubts about the party’s influence and the recognition of its leader, Richard Tice, within his constituency. Anderson’s defection represents his third party change in six years, having moved from Labour to the Conservatives before his recent transition.
Anderson’s shift and his preceding remarks add to the complexity of UK’s political landscape, highlighting the nuances and shifting allegiances within the country’s political discourse.
