Welcome back to Cllr Elliot Nichols of Waverley Borough Council who has left UKIP to return to the Conservative fold.
Cllr Nichols said:
“Two years ago I left the Conservative Party and joined UKIP. I switched in high hopes and much optimism. Since then events – especially in recent months – have convinced me that this was a grave error of judgement”
“I made a mistake – a big one – and today I am proud to rectify it and have resigned from the UKIP group at Waverley Borough Council.
“We need an EU referendum, a sustainable NHS, better schools, immigration reform and above all a credible long term economic plan. To these challenges, each critical in its own way, UKIP offers no solutions: only soundbites and nasty ones at that.
“Meanwhile, the prospect of an Ed Miliband government supported by the SNP, poses great dangers, an economy in free fall and the Union in peril. In short, a vote for UKIP is now a vote for Ed Miliband and Nicola Sturgeon – nothing else. If we want a string economy and an EU referendum then there is no alternative to a strong Conservative majority, led by David Cameron, sticking with the plan, finishing the job and offering people a real choice of ‘in’ or ‘out’ on Europe”
In response Jeremy Hunt, the Surrey South West Conservative candidate, said:
“I am delighted to welcome Elliot back to the Conservative Party.
“As he now recognises, this election is a straight choice of either competence under David Cameron or chaos under Ed Miliband and the SNP. With only a few days to the General Election more and more people are ‘coming home’. They recoginse that if you want a strong economy and an EU referendum you have to vote Conservative”.
Cllr Robert Knowles, the Leader of Waverley Borough Council, added:
“It is always good to see people admit their mistakes and eat their words! This is a body blow to UKIP locally and only confirms what I have long asserted – UKIP has nothing to offer Waverley residents.”
Denise Le Gal, Chairman of South West Surrey Conservative Association commented
“Elliot has resigned from the UKIP and has re-joined the Conservative Party. I am always delighted to see UKIP members return to the fold – something that is happening ever more frequently. It is good to see Elliot back in blue”.