Former Liberal Democrat peer Zahida Manzoor has defected to the Conservative Party after criticising her former party’s policies on Europe and Brexit.
Baroness Manzoor was left bewildered by Lib Dem leader Tim Farron’s call for a second referendum on the terms of any Brexit deal, claiming she could not support “a party that calls itself democratic and then refuses to acknowledge the will of the people in a referendum.”
Having served as Lib Dem member of the House of Lords for three years, Baroness Manzoor often went up against the Conservative Party and clashed on policies such as last year’s tax credits cuts proposals put forward by the Tories.
However, she insists that the Conservatives are now her “natural home” as she shares in Prime Minister Theresa May’s “vision” for the country over Brexit.
“Theresa May’s vision of a Britain that works for everyone, and her clear leadership over Brexit, now make the Conservatives a natural home for me and millions of people like me, from all communities across the UK.
“As Britain embarks on a new journey. Outside the EU but reaching out to trade with the world. And as we really begin addressing the problems of social mobility at home. I look forward to helping play my part as a Conservative.”
Baroness Manzoor becomes the second Lib Dem peer to leave for the Conservatives after Lady Nicholson of Winterbourne re-joined the Tories last month. Lady Nicholson too citied May’s leadership as the reason for her return to a party she had left in 1995.Tory chairman Sir Patrick McLoughlin said: “There is only one centre ground party in Britain today, and that is the Conservatives.“We welcome Baroness Manzoor’s commitment to join us as we build a country that works for everyone.”
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