Bracknell must now hold a by-election following Dr Phillip Lee’s defection, the Brexit Party candidate for Bracknell said today.
The former Conservative MP Dr Phillip Lee crossed the floor to join the Liberal Democrats this afternoon and the Brexit Party’s David Winsper said in doing so, he no longer represents his constituents.
Mr Winsper said: “The Conservative Dr Phillip Lee must now call for a by-election because it cannot be right that for a general election where there was a 70.6% turnout, and more than 32,882 voted Conservative in Bracknell, he will now be representing only 4,186 who voted for the Liberal Democrats.
“This individual now seeks to represent less than 4% of his constituents by crossing the floor.
“I am standing [to be Bracknell’s MP] because of individuals like this duplicitous self-serving politician.”
The Brexit Party candidate continued: “As a veteran, No. 10 has sent me around the world, in spite of party, championing democracy. I have been holding Great Britain aloft as a bastion of democracy.
“I am not prepared to put up with the omni-shambles of the self-serving MPs, and so I am putting my head ahead the parapet for the Bracknell constituency.”
Dr Lee’s defection also means Boris Johnson’s parliament no longer has a majority. Mr Winsper said a general election is therefore likely.
“I believe it will be before the 31 October,” he said.
The leader of the Brexit Party, Nigel Farage, said earlier today that his political party will not stand against the Conservatives in an election, as long as Mr Johnson promises to leave the EU without a deal.
Mr Winsper added: “I believe if Boris Johnson has good sense he will take Nigel Farage’s offer, and campaign for a WTO [No deal] clean Brexit, thus he can solidify his position in no.10 hand in hand with the Brexit Party.”