Cambridge Conservatives welcome David Campbell Bannerman MEP

David Campbell Bannerman MEP today resigned from the UK Independence Party and joined the City of Cambridge Conservative Association, becoming a member of the European Conservatives and Reformists Group.

This means that four out of the seven MEPs representing the eastern region, of which Cambridge is a part, are now Conservative. Timothy Haire, Deputy Chairman of the City of Cambridge Conservative Association, said “I am pleased that David Campbell Bannerman has come back the Conservative party and we are pleased that he has chosen to join our association.  This goes to show that a vote for UKIP is a wasted vote and only the Conservatives will stand up for the people of Cambridge and Britain in Europe.  As a Cambridge resident David will understand the concerns of the people of Cambridge and I am sure he will continue to represent these concerns in the European Parliament.”

In a statement today David said “I have been pleased with the robust stance taken by David Cameron and Conservative MEPs over the EU budget negotiations and I believe that it is Conservative MEPs who are working hard to defend Britain’s interests”

Foreign Secretary William Hague has responded, saying “I am very pleased that we can welcome David Campbell Bannerman back to the Conservative Party.  The Conservative Party is bringing in people who want to work in the national interest to sort out Britain’s problems. I am sure David Campbell Bannerman will be a valuable member of our team in the European Parliament.”

And Martin Callanan MEP, Leader of the Conservative MEPs, added “I am delighted to welcome David Campbell Bannerman back into the Conservative Party and to our delegation in the European Parliament. This is another great sign of the growing influence of the European Conservative and Reformist Group (ECR) – now the fourth largest group in the European Parliament. We all look forward to working with David in championing the British national interest in Europe.”