At least 25 High Profile Conservatives have Defected to the Liberal Democrats

10.12.10pm UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 3rd May 2004

This has been the case and consistent trend over recent years and most commonly over policy on Europe. So many cannot be wrong.

The statement of Paul Howell (former Conservative MEP) is a typical comment. "Frankly I have felt over the past two years there has been a complete dearth of policy in the Conservative Party. It has been seeking to jump on bandwagons and has been centred on a greater xenophobic hatred of foreigners."

There is a sense the Conservative Party has been hijacked by an anti-European minority. The Liberal Democrats prefer to be much more positive.

Liberal Democrats who are former Conservatives include: -

1. John Stevens - Leader of Pro Euro Conservative Party, Conservative MEP (1989-1999)

2. Marie-Louise Rossi - Conservative Councillor (1986-1994), former Chair of Bow Group

3. James Moorhouse former Conservative MEP

4. Keith Raffan former Conservative MP

5. Hugh Dykes former Conservative MP

6. Anna McCurley former Conservative MP

7. Peter Thurnham former Conservative MP

8. Peter Price - MEP for Lancashire West 1979 - 1984 and London South East 1984 - 1994. Former National Vice-Chairman of the Conservative Political Centre.

9. Emma Nicholson MEP - Former Conservative MP and Vice-chairman of the Conservative Party

10. Paul Howell - Former Conservative MEP.

11. Bill Newton Dunn MEP

12. Karen Gillard - Former national chairman of Torche, Tory Campaign for Homosexual Equality and a Plymouth Councillor.

13. Ron Aitken - Chairman of Tottenham Conservative Party for four years. Prominent member of Haringey Conservatives.

14. John Lee - Former MP for Nelson & Colne (1979-83) and for Pendle (1983-92). Former Minister, holding various ministerial positions

15. Pat Ablett - Former Conservative Beverley Borough Councillor and parish Councillor for Leven.

16. Harold Elletson - Former Tory MP for Blackpool North 1992 - 1997

17. Alan Armitage - Former Chairman of Oxford North Tory Party until 1996, former Deputy Leader of Aylesbury Vale District Council and active Tory member for 26 years

18. Mary McGarry - Conservative Pembrokeshire Councillor

19. Brendan Donnelly - Deputy leader of PECP, Conservative MEP (1994-1999)

20. Marcelle d'Argy Smith - Writer and broadcaster

21. Peter Carter-Ruck - Top libel lawyer

22. Sir Anthony Meyer - Conservative MP (1964-1966 and 1970-1997)

23. Lady Meyer

24. Anthony Frost - Conservative Borough Councillor (1975-1980)

25. John Szemerey - Conservative Councillor (1968-71) Parliamentary candidate (1970 and 1974) former chair of Conservatives in Belgium.

Related Link:

The Peel Group.