Blair is good for Britain, says defecting MP
Former Conservative minister and MP for Wantage, Robert Jackson has written to his constituency chairman informing him of his decision to defect to Labour.
The ‘bottom line’, Mr Jackson said, was that it was for the good of Britain that Tony Blair and not Michael Howard led the country.
In a damning judgement, the 58-year-old said a Conservative victory at the next general election would entail “certain harm” to Britain.
Mr Jackson, husband to Conservative MEP Dr Caroline Jackson, told The Sunday Telegraph the Conservatives entertained “dangerous” views on Europe, “incoherent” policies on public services, especially education, and demonstrably “wobbled” on the 2003 US-led Iraq war to oust Saddam Hussein from power.
The former higher education minister and adviser to the late Willie Whitelaw did not mince his words, saying the Tories “deserved better leadership”.
In the letter to his constituency chairman, John Griffiths, the former fellow of All Souls College, Oxford, said: “The Labour government has acted in the national interest to secure the future of our universities and the Conservative party has committed itself to repealing these measures.
“The Conservative party’s hostility to Europe has now hardened to the point at which it advocates the unilateral denunciation of Britain’s treaty obligations.
“I also greatly admire Tony Blair’s leadership of the country. He has risen above narrow sectional interests, and demonstrated real courage on both domestic reform and our country’s international security.”
The Prime Minister said he was “delighted” by the MP’s decision.
“He is a decent, fair-minded and dedicated public servant, respected across the House of Commons, who will be warmly welcomed by Labour MPs and members,” said Mr Blair.
“Like many people who used to be Conservatives, he now finds New Labour closer to one-nation politics than the present-day Conservative party.
“He offers a serious and measured analysis of where they are continuing to go wrong.
“New Labour will continue to promote policies that take our country forward in a way that delivers prosperity, opportunity and modern public services for all.”
The news will draw attention away from Monday’s unveiling of the Conservatives’ spending plans by shadow Treasury spokesman Oliver Letwin.
Mr Jackson, who has already announced his decision to stand down as an MP at the next election, said he would not seek a seat as a Labour candidate.
Mr Jackson has a 5,600 majority in Wantage, Oxfordshire.
