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Former Lib Dem peer Emma Nicholson joins Tory party Former Lib Dem peer Emma Nicholson joins Tory party
(about 7 hours later)
A former Liberal Democrat peer has joined the Conservatives, highlighting Theresa May’s education plans as a reason for the switch.A former Liberal Democrat peer has joined the Conservatives, highlighting Theresa May’s education plans as a reason for the switch.
Lady Nicholson of Winterbourne, who quit the Lib Dems during parliament’s summer recess, said the prime minister’s controversial schools shake-up showed a “real commitment to delivering for the next generation”. Lady Nicholson of Winterbourne, who quit the Lib Dems during parliament’s summer recess, said the prime minister’s controversial schools shakeup showed a “real commitment to delivering for the next generation”.
She had previously been a Tory MP before defecting to the Lib Dems in 1995 in a severe blow to John Major’s government. Nicholson has returned to the party she quit more than two decades ago, welcoming the prime minister’s plans for a new generation of grammar schools.She had previously been a Tory MP before defecting to the Lib Dems in 1995 in a severe blow to John Major’s government. Nicholson has returned to the party she quit more than two decades ago, welcoming the prime minister’s plans for a new generation of grammar schools.
She said: “I am rejoining the Conservative party with tremendous pleasure. My energies are dedicated to fighting for our new PM and her policies.She said: “I am rejoining the Conservative party with tremendous pleasure. My energies are dedicated to fighting for our new PM and her policies.
“Her education speech last week showed she leads a party with a real commitment to delivering for the next generation and building a country that works for everyone.“Her education speech last week showed she leads a party with a real commitment to delivering for the next generation and building a country that works for everyone.
“We in the Conservative party have a great history of diversity, optimism in our people’s creativity and success.“We in the Conservative party have a great history of diversity, optimism in our people’s creativity and success.
“My greatest strengths are the Conservative strengths and I will be fighting for Britain from the Conservative benches from now on in.”“My greatest strengths are the Conservative strengths and I will be fighting for Britain from the Conservative benches from now on in.”
A Liberal Democrat source said: “Emma told the party that she disagreed with the party’s position on Europe. She left the party in July.A Liberal Democrat source said: “Emma told the party that she disagreed with the party’s position on Europe. She left the party in July.
“Her comments about grammar schools are utterly, totally and completely untrue.”“Her comments about grammar schools are utterly, totally and completely untrue.”