Ex-Tory MP will back Lib Dem
A FORMER Conservative MP and Eastbourne voter has publicly vowed not to vote for Tory Nigel Waterson at the forthcoming General election.
Ernle Money, a Conservative MP for Ipswich in the 1970s who lives in Furness Road, said he could no longer support Mr Waterson and would be switching allegiance and voting for Liberal Democrat candidate Stephen Lloyd to be the town's next MP.
Mr Money, pictured, said he had been a proud supporter of the Conservative Party all his adult life and remained so. But he said because of the recent expenses scandal and the failure by Mr Waterson to answer some hard-hitting questons about his second home in Beckenham and his expenses, he found it "impossible" to support the current MP.
The switching of allegiance came after Mr Money wrote two open letters asking Mr Waterson questions about his Beckenham home and his work record in the House of Commons.
Mr Money, a retired barrister who has lived in Eastbourne for more than 20 years, said, "I've been increasingly driven to the conclusion, over a number of years, that Mr Waterson is no longer the right person to represent the Eastbourne constituency. I remain a dedicated member of the Conservative Party nationally, but feel Mr Waterson does not represent the Conservative values I hold dear.
"He said he would answer questions from his constituents but he has ignored my questions and that, I believe, is totally disingenuous. In addition, I cannot support Nigel Waterson because I believe he has broken all Conservative values. In short, he has been a rotten MP and on numerous occasions, he has jumped onto any passing bandwagon and taken up causes after they have already been dealt with by others.
"Consequently I have decided to nominate and support Stephen Lloyd locally as my view, shared by many others, is that he will prove to be a dedicated, open and hardworking member of parliament for the Eastbourne constituency. Mr Lloyd will bring to this important and prestigious job a set of personal values which, regretfully, I believe no longer apply to the current incumbent. I believe it is vital that the Eastbourne MP should live in the constituency with his family and work from there."
Stephen Lloyd said he was "deeply honoured" to receive Mr Money's personal support.
"I respect that Mr Money remains a Conservative," said Mr Lloyd. "His support for me in Eastbourne & Willingdon is based on what is best for our town rather than party politics. I am determined, like Mr Money, to put the needs of local residents first before personal advantage."
Brian Higgins, president of Eastbourne Conservative Association, said, "I do not think Nigel needs any lectures from Mr Money about how to carry out his duties. Mr Money was MP for Ipswich for only four years from 1970 to 1974, some 35 years ago.
"I don't know what "Conservative values" Mr Money is referring to, but loyalty, principle and a duty of service should be high on his list. Nigel Waterson always seeks to deal personally with any constituent who needs to see him or who writes to him, and always strives not just to represent the people of Eastbourne in Parliament but more importantly to serve them. In this respect his track record is exemplary.
"It is from any perspective a contradiction to say that you are voting Liberal Democrat locally but claim to want to see a Conservative Government nationally!
"But can we please try to get away from all this petty sniping and personal abuse? This year's election is about who is going to run the country - and who has the right policies we need nationally – Gordon Brown or David Cameron?
"Comments and views such as those offered by Mr Money however motivated, are not in any way constructive or relevant and serve only to demean our electoral process."
• We have been asked to point out by the Eastbourne Conservatives that Mr Money, who says he is a member of Conservatives Abroad, is not, according to them, a member of the party and Andrew Griffiths, chief of staff to the party chairman, said, "Conservatives Abroad is an independent affiliated organisation.
Membership of Conservatives Abroad is not membership of the Conservative Party and does -not instil any kind of voting or membership rights of the party to its members. Because it is not part of the Conservative Party, I am afraid I do not have membership details, but even if he were a paid up member of Conservatives Abroad, he would not automatically be a member of the party."
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Sunday 27 May 2012
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