Another day, another Tory Ukip defection

Sloppy seconds are on the menu for both Ukip and the Conservative party this week. Many questions remain for the Tories after Ukip MEP Amjad Bashir defected to them following a Ukip party investigation. Now, Nigel Farage has claimed another Conservative for his side.

Paul Bellis, a Tory councillor from Stockport, has left the Conservatives and joined Ukip. Bellis, who has served Bramhall South and Woodford for over two decades, made the decision to join Farage’s party after he was deselected by the Conservatives. Not that this information has dampened Ukip members’ spirits.

Conservative to UKIP defection. Conservative Cllr Paul Bellis, on Stockport Council, joins UKIP.

— Michael Heaver (@Michael_Heaver) January 26, 2015

In a letter to his colleagues, Bellis explained the motives behind his move:

‘I can no longer support Conservative policies, both nationally and locally, that do little to address the issues that are facing us as a nation and as a local area today, but are more geared to serve a small minority of people.