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MP's defection a 'betrayal' - Tories MP's defection a 'betrayal' - Tory chairman Shapps
(about 1 hour later)
Conservative chairman Grant Shapps has accused Mark Reckless of "betrayal" by his defection from the Tories to UKIP.Conservative chairman Grant Shapps has accused Mark Reckless of "betrayal" by his defection from the Tories to UKIP.
Mr Shapps told the party conference in Birmingham: "Your trust has been abused. You have been cheated."Mr Shapps told the party conference in Birmingham: "Your trust has been abused. You have been cheated."
Mr Reckless announced he was defecting to UKIP on the eve of the Conservative conference, triggering a by-election in his Rochester and Strood constituency .Mr Reckless announced he was defecting to UKIP on the eve of the Conservative conference, triggering a by-election in his Rochester and Strood constituency .
He said it was "impossible" to keep his promise to voters on tax cuts and Europe as a Conservative.He said it was "impossible" to keep his promise to voters on tax cuts and Europe as a Conservative.
David Cameron has called Mr Reckless's defection - which follows a similar move earlier this month by MP Douglas Carswell - "senseless and counter-productive" because the Conservatives were the only party that could deliver an EU referendum.David Cameron has called Mr Reckless's defection - which follows a similar move earlier this month by MP Douglas Carswell - "senseless and counter-productive" because the Conservatives were the only party that could deliver an EU referendum.
Welfare capWelfare cap
But in his opening speech to the Conservative conference, Mr Shapps went further, telling members: "I share your deep sense of betrayal and anger. We've been repeatedly let down by someone who lied to his constituents and you.But in his opening speech to the Conservative conference, Mr Shapps went further, telling members: "I share your deep sense of betrayal and anger. We've been repeatedly let down by someone who lied to his constituents and you.
"He lied, lied and lied again.""He lied, lied and lied again."
David Cameron wants to use his week in Birmingham to unveil a series of policies aimed at winning the party an overall majority in May's election.David Cameron wants to use his week in Birmingham to unveil a series of policies aimed at winning the party an overall majority in May's election.
Chancellor George Osborne has said a Conservative government would cut the maximum level of benefits a household can claim from £26,000 a year to £23,000 to fund an extra three million apprenticeships in the next parliament. He told BBC One's Andrew Marr Show that a Conservative government would cut the maximum level of benefits a household can claim from £26,000 a year to £23,000 to fund an extra three million apprenticeships in the next parliament.
At the same time, unemployed young people aged 18 to 21 would be given six months to find work or training - after which their jobseeker's allowance payments would be withdrawn unless they agreed to take part in "community projects" such as cleaning up local parks.At the same time, unemployed young people aged 18 to 21 would be given six months to find work or training - after which their jobseeker's allowance payments would be withdrawn unless they agreed to take part in "community projects" such as cleaning up local parks.
A further proposal is that most unemployed 18 to 21-year-olds should also be prevented from claiming housing benefit, if the claim is solely being made so that they can leave the parental home. A further proposal is that most unemployed 18 to 21-year-olds should also be prevented from claiming housing benefit, if the claim is being made solely to enable them to leave the parental home.
Mr Cameron also promised help for younger people to get on the housing ladder, saying a Tory government would build 100,000 homes exclusively available to under-40s in England at 20% below market rate.Mr Cameron also promised help for younger people to get on the housing ladder, saying a Tory government would build 100,000 homes exclusively available to under-40s in England at 20% below market rate.
But the policy announcements have been overshadowed by the defection of Mr Reckless and the resignation of civil society minister Brooks Newmark over newspaper revelations about his private life.But the policy announcements have been overshadowed by the defection of Mr Reckless and the resignation of civil society minister Brooks Newmark over newspaper revelations about his private life.
Mr Cameron said he had not been aware of Mr Reckless's plans to quit but suggested the backbencher would not be much of a loss to the party because he "rarely voted with the government".
He told the BBC's Andrew Marr show that the choice at the next election was between Labour and the Conservatives, "so to act in a way that makes the Conservative government less likely is senseless and counter-productive."