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Ukip MEP defects to Tories Ukip MEP defects to Tories
(7 months later)
David Cameron received a boost on Friday night when a Ukip MEP revealed that she was defecting to the Tories. Less than a week before the Eastleigh byelection, Marta Andreasen quit and launched an excoriating attack on Nigel Farage's leadership.David Cameron received a boost on Friday night when a Ukip MEP revealed that she was defecting to the Tories. Less than a week before the Eastleigh byelection, Marta Andreasen quit and launched an excoriating attack on Nigel Farage's leadership.
The party's sole female MEP dismissed the party's chances of achieving real power and hailed the prime minister's speech pledging an in-out referendum on EU membership as a "game changer".The party's sole female MEP dismissed the party's chances of achieving real power and hailed the prime minister's speech pledging an in-out referendum on EU membership as a "game changer".
The parting shot – in an open letter from the South-East region MEP – comes amid speculation that Ukip could perform well at Eastleigh. Farage opted not to stand as a candidate himself, but was in the constituency again on Friday trying to drum up support.The parting shot – in an open letter from the South-East region MEP – comes amid speculation that Ukip could perform well at Eastleigh. Farage opted not to stand as a candidate himself, but was in the constituency again on Friday trying to drum up support.
However, Andreasen said she did not believe the party could offer real leadership. "Ukip has good people in it at grassroots that care about the future of the United Kingdom and our place in a renegotiated relationship with Europe," she wrote. "Unfortunately, their party leader treats any views other than his own with contempt. Ukip is his plaything to mould and shape in any way he sees fit, regardless of the views of others, myself included.However, Andreasen said she did not believe the party could offer real leadership. "Ukip has good people in it at grassroots that care about the future of the United Kingdom and our place in a renegotiated relationship with Europe," she wrote. "Unfortunately, their party leader treats any views other than his own with contempt. Ukip is his plaything to mould and shape in any way he sees fit, regardless of the views of others, myself included.
"His actions, surrounding himself with an old boys' club of like-minded sycophants, are dictatorial, in sharp contrast to those of David Cameron, who has shown he can listen, adapt and do what is right for the country, not just for personal gain.""His actions, surrounding himself with an old boys' club of like-minded sycophants, are dictatorial, in sharp contrast to those of David Cameron, who has shown he can listen, adapt and do what is right for the country, not just for personal gain."
Andreasen said Cameron's keynote address on Britain's relationship with the EU last month had convinced her that the Conservatives were the "true referendum party".Andreasen said Cameron's keynote address on Britain's relationship with the EU last month had convinced her that the Conservatives were the "true referendum party".
She warned Eastleigh voters that Ukip had no chance of victory, and that supporting the party risked letting "the Lib Dems in via the back door".She warned Eastleigh voters that Ukip had no chance of victory, and that supporting the party risked letting "the Lib Dems in via the back door".
Conservative party chairman Grant Shapps said: "I'm delighted to welcome Marta to the Conservative party. She brings a wealth of experience - and a dedication to fight for what's best for the British people in Europe.Conservative party chairman Grant Shapps said: "I'm delighted to welcome Marta to the Conservative party. She brings a wealth of experience - and a dedication to fight for what's best for the British people in Europe.
In a statement about Andreasen on Friday night, Farage said: "Having left the OECD, the European Commission and Ukip in unpleasant circumstances, the Conservative party deserve what is coming to them. The woman is impossible."In a statement about Andreasen on Friday night, Farage said: "Having left the OECD, the European Commission and Ukip in unpleasant circumstances, the Conservative party deserve what is coming to them. The woman is impossible."
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