Andrew Tettenborn

Joining Reform may be a smart move for Lee Anderson

Lee Anderson (Credit: Getty images)

Richard Tice of Reform may not be the most charismatic party leader, but he has impeccable timing. The ink was hardly dry on Lee Anderson and Brendan Clarke-Smith’s joint resignation letter following their support for Robert Jenrick’s amendments to the Rwanda Bill, before he openly propositioned them to defect.

Predictably Anderson told Christopher Hope straight away on GB News that he was not for turning. But things can change fast in politics. The idea that at least some of the New Conservatives should jump ship actually makes more sense than you might think, whether you look at things from the point of view of the people concerned, the Tory party or the country as a whole.

What will hold incumbent MPs back is nothing personal, but rather their association with the administration of the last 13 years

The first point is an obvious one: the Conservatives’ current dire poll results reflect no love for Labour.

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