Dr Phillip Lee, the MP for Bracknell, has left the Conservative party to join the Liberal Democrats. In the middle of Boris Johnson’s statement to the House of Commons this afternoon, the ex-minister crossed the floor to sit beside the Liberal Democrat leader, Jo Swinson.
In a statement coinciding with his dramatic defection, Lee blasted the government for ‘manipulation, bullying and lies’, adding ‘the party I joined in 1992 is not the party I am leaving today.’
Meanwhile, everyone’s favourite party-hopper, Chuka Umunna, patted Dr Lee on the arm as he took a seat next to his new colleagues. Mr S is sure Lee will appreciate the support of an MP who knows what changing party is like, not once, but twice…
Watch the MP crossing the floor here:
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