Hannan given surprise party position
By politics.co.uk staff
Daniel Hannan – the Tory MEP infamous for criticising the NHS – has accepted the position of legal affairs spokesperson for the European Conservatives and Reformists (ECR), a group which includes the Conservative party.
Hannan has been an MEP since 1999 but has never taken a party post.
Writing on his Telegraph blog he explained his reluctance was down to not wanting to “legitimise a rotten system”.
Mr Hannan quickly reminded his readers that accepting the position entailed no compromise of his principles.
“For the first time in a decade here, I have found something that I’m truly proud to be part of. I speak, obviously, of the ECR: I’d vote to abolish the Parliament itself tomorrow.”
The move has prompted concerns that David Cameron’s efforts to portray the Conservatives as moderate is mere camouflage.
Mr Hannam views on the NHS were called “eccentric” by Mr Cameron, but today’s decision indicates Tory HQ believes he can be brought under control.
