LibDem candidate flies to Cameron's "positive, constructive and optimistic" nest

The Tory blogosphere has been alive with the possibility of LibDem to Tory defections for some time.  Iain Dale wrote about the possibility of David Laws MP crossing the floor.  Guido hinted at Mark Oaten MP defecting before Sunday's News of the World expose (an expose that Dominic Lawson suggests would have cost the NotW £20,000).

This morning Mr Cameron has finally won a defection and it's... Adrian Graves.

Yes.  THE Adrian Graves.

Described by The Independent as "a strategic public relations consultant", Mr Graves was LibDem candidate for Suffolk West in 1997 and 2005.  With these words in The Independent Mr Graves has defected to the Tories:

"The arrival of David Cameron at the helm of the Tory party has precipitated a shift in the direction and political atmosphere within the party.  Politics is suddenly dynamic and interesting again. Importantly, it now offers - arguably for the first time since 1997 - the only potentially achievable opportunity for "regime change" at the next election...

We need change at the next election: Liberal Democrat centre-ground politicians and thinkers need to consider those choices and opportunities - or live with the consequences. For me, the solution is quite obvious. David Cameron represents the positive, constructive and optimistic politics I believe in. That is why I am joining David Cameron's modern, compassionate Conservative Party. The time has clearly come for others to make the same choice."

If Mr Cameron is to win further defections it will be important that Mr Graves is treated well.  Tony Blair was careful to help defectors Shaun Woodward and Alan Howarth secure plum Labour seats.  Charles Kennedy elevated the treacherous Emma Nicholson and Hugh Dykes to the Lords.  Mr Graves is hardly in the same league as Woodward and Howarth etc but Mr Laws et al may be watching to see what kind of treatment he receives.  Mr Laws is professing his loyalty to the yellow flag at the moment but would he stay in a Hughes-led Liberal party?  Mr Graves describes a "nightmare scenario" where a "Hughes-led, left-leaning Liberal Democrat" party "props up" a "weaker Labour administration, led by Gordon Brown".  Such a Brown-Hughes coalition would do nothing to advance Mr Laws' Orange Book liberalism and Yeovil's MP might yet follow Mr Graves' example... Mr Cameron would be sure to give him a senior Tory position within months.

Comments

[Double standards?]

Charles Kennedy elevated the treacherous Emma Nicholson and Hugh Dykes to the Lords

Whay aren't you describing Adrian Graves (whoever he is) with similarly robust language?

[Chris]

Double Standards, you make a valid point. However to make us feel better about having traitors serve under our flag, we simply assume they filled in the Lib Dem membership and canditature forms by mistake, when they intened to join the Tory party all along (I mean we've had quotes in recent days from Lib Dems saying they >< from joining the Tories in the first place).

[Chris Hughes]

I think many were hoping for bigger fish than Adrian Graves (who?) but something like this definately could swing the momentum for more defections.

Although, perhaps one might need to take a step back and give a second thought to the situation if liberal democrats find it too easy to join the Tories.....?

[zhukov]

Do we have any figures on the number of Councillors who have defected? I have one County Councillor in my constituency

[James Hellyer]

Council defections really don't mean anything. So much of local politics owes more to personalities than to political parties that defections tend to be the results of fallings out rather than Damescene conversions.

[Richard Bailey]

This is ideal. We can put him up as Tory candidate in Winchester in a month or two's time. Ex Lib turns Yellow seat blue - sweet!!

[Selsdon Man]

At 57, Adrian Graves is too old for the Candidates List under the new Youf regime. Nick Bennett, former MP for Pembroke, blogged on this site that Andrew Mackay (who is older than Nick) kicked him off the Approved List. Mr Graves chances of becoming a Tory are dead (pun intended).

[john Skinner]

We should be happy at Adrian Graves' defection. If we don't get any "big Fish", his action points to many Liberal voters coming our way. Well done Dave!

[Selsdon Man]

I have never heard of Adrian Graves and I doubt that voters will be impressed by his defection. "Dave" does need to catch a bigger fish - but not Mr Oaten.

[Guido Fawkes]

Guido meant defecation not defection.

[James Maskell]

Never heard of Adrian Graves so this means nothing to me.

[malcolm]

I would hope that any defectors are treated no better and no worse than existing Conservative Party members.Probably niave of me but I did feel that the way Blair treated Shaun Woodward was truly nauseating and hugely damaging for the reputation of politics in general.

[Selsdon Man]

Interesting, Guido. I had worked that one too, if you excuse the expression. Press reports suggest that the voters of Winchester want to defecate on Mr Oaten.

[Chris Palmer]

Well, not quite what I was hoping for. I was hoping to hear that an MP had defected. However, this is better than nothing and I'm sure David Cameron and the Conservative press team can produce something good from this situation.

[Sean Fear]

"Press reports suggest that the voters of Winchester want to defecate on Mr Oaten."

He might welcome that.

[Simon C]

DC needs to be clear in advance how he will treat defector MPs. His history in Whitney will be scrutinised. Did he demand that Shaun Woodward step down & face him in a by-election? If he did, will he demand the same from any MPs who now defect to the Conservatives?

I have no idea what DC said about Woodward after he had been selected as the PPC for Whitney. But I guess it was probably (and rightly) pretty trenchant.

As posted elsewhere a few days ago, at a public meeting in Harrogate a few years ago, Oliver Letwin refused to call for Paul Marsden to resign & fight a by-election in Shrewsbury - his rationale being that MPs are elected as individuals not on a party slate. I guess that will be the way forward...

[Daniel Vince-Archer]

*WARNING! DREADFUL PUN ALERT!*

This defection proves that the Liberal Demoprats really are in a Graves (sic) situation at the moment.

[Alexander Drake]

Ratting on your old party is OK - provided you come to the Conservatives, not leave it. Who said politics had to be fair? None of the other parties think it should be.

Ratting on the Conservative Party is a heinous crime, however. : )

[Editor]

The Conservative Party Chairman Francis Maude has issued the following:

"The Conservative Party is changing. We are leading the way on major challenges such as climate change and global poverty. We are committed to decentralisation and defending civil liberties. There is now a new home for Liberal Democrat voters and those who want to see a change of Government at the next election.”

[Matthew Oxley]

And what of those who wan't to see the Liberal Democrats working with us after the next election?

[Selsdon Man]

What about a home for voters who want low taxes, more freedom and small government?

[Selsdon Man]

"Ratting on the Conservative Party is a heinous crime, however".

Roger Helmer and Howard Flight did not rat on the party. They stood up for Conservative policies and values and were treated like dirt.

[James Hellyer]

Roger Helmer and Howard Flight did not rat on the party. They stood up for Conservative policies and values and were treated like dirt.

Apparently that's a heinous crime too.

[MattSimpson]

I wonder which safe seat Boy Wonder has promised this LibDem nobody.

[Esbonio]

Simon C: good point; by the way you spelling of Cameron's constituency is slightly incorrect; there is no "h" in it unlike the singer.

Well said Messers Hellyer and Simpson.

[Esbonio]

Simon C- hoist with my own petard; apologies for typos.

[Michael McGowan]

Francis Maude is apparently committed to decentralisation.....even though he spent most of Summer 2005 trying to disenfranchise party members and is helping to cook up an A List of candidates which massively increases the power of the CCO at the expense of associations. If Maude believes in decentralisation, then so does Kim Jong Il.....

[Terry Keen]

There are rumours on the BBC website that up to three Lib Dem MPs could be joining us soon. That would be a rather nice coup.

If they are in a marginal seat (many are), they might as well stay right where they are and fight the next election under our colours.

[Selsdon Man]

From BBCi "The 57-year-old public relations consultant claimed that up to three Lib Dem MPs might be considering defecting". That barely counts as a rumour.

[tory realist]

"At 57, Adrian Graves is too old for the Candidates List under the new Youf regime. Nick Bennett, former MP for Pembroke, blogged on this site that Andrew Mackay (who is older than Nick) kicked him off the Approved List. Mr Graves chances of becoming a Tory are dead (pun intended)."

Surely, under the new regime, the age discrimination rule does not apply to Lib Dems. I'm sure he will find you're never too old if you are a Lib Dem.

[David Surtees]

We should sometimes remember that people who defect at whatever level have taken a brave decision and should be treated with care and respect. If they really cannot live honestly with their views they have a right to reconsider where they are comfortable. They are not always opportunists. There are a number of LDs out there looking for a new way - if some of you don't want them send them to the East Midlands!

[malcolm]

I'm struggling to think David of any prominent politicians who have defected in the past 20 years who have not been the shameless unprincipled opportunists.The days of Churchill and the 'Gang Of Four' are long past.

[Andrew Woodman]

There are a number of LDs out there looking for a new way - if some of you don't want them send them to the East Midlands!

I think the Lib Dems need some Lib Dem members in the East Midlands David. I've certainly never seen any.

[James Maskell]

Maude has got to be joking.

The Conservative Party is changing.

Indeed it is...for better or for worse is the issue.

We are leading the way on major challenges such as climate change and global poverty.

What about the economy, health, education and welfare?

We are committed to decentralisation and defending civil liberties.

Ah, so by attempting to take the votes of members and now having taken the ability of local associations to select the best candidate, thats decentralisation...gotcha!

There is now a new home for Liberal Democrat voters and those who want to see a change of Government at the next election.

Its a home for Liberal Democrats, thats good to see...what about the Conservatives that already reside? Us Conservatives want to see a change of Government...

[tory realist]

"We are committed to decentralisation"

Er, that doesn't mean the party.

[Chris Palmer]

"If they are in a marginal seat (many are), they might as well stay right where they are and fight the next election under our colours." - Terry Keen

Or, alternatively the better thing to do would be to leave them as Lib Dems in a marginal - and then get in a real Conservative to challenge them and win the seat on the swing - rather than allowing some re-heated Lib Dem to join the Conservative party just because they happen to be a opportunistic.

The only time Lib Dems should be welcomed into the Conservative party is if:

1) They are in a Lib Dem safe(ish) seat that the Conservative party is unlikely to win on the swing.
2) They have genuinely changed their beliefs so that they are more in-line with the Conservative party.
3) The Liberal Democrat party goes down the sink and disbands.

[Guto Bebb]

I was and remain a small fish who was thrown out of Plaid Cymru (chair of the Caernarfon constituency!) for my views on the euro (I became a member of the Business for Sterling council in Wales and Chairman of the North Wales campaign) I joined the Conservaive Party in October 2001 and have a great deal of sympathy with any potential Lib Dem looking to jump ship.

In my case, the decision was very difficult since my grandfather was one of six men who established Plaid in 1925. However, I have felt at home in the Conservative party since day one, have rec'd nothing but kindness from 99% of members and been rewarded with (wait for it) standing in a by-election in Ogmore, south Wales in 2002!

Since then I have worked hard in the Conwy (now Aberconwy) constituency making significant progress at the 2003 Assembly Election and the 2005 General Election.

Defecting is not always an opportunistic decision. My decision cost me money and freinds. But I do not regret it.

[Selsdon Man]

"I'm struggling to think David of any prominent politicians who have defected in the past 20 years who have not been the shameless unprincipled opportunists".

What about John Horam (currently Tory MP for Orpington)? Started off in Labour, defected to the SDP and then the Conservatives! Clearly a man of principle!

[Editor]

Good luck in the by-election Guto...

Please let us know how you get on.

Tim

[Kenneth Irvine]

The Ogmore by-election was in 2002, Tim.

[malcolm]

Exactly Selsdon!

[David Surtees]

Richard Balfe's defection in the European Parliament was honourable in my view and did not do him any huge favours as far as future selection was concerned.

as for the East Midlands,Andrew, if you are looking for signs of LDs come to the Harborough constituency or Leicester. They are also in Chesterfield and currently on show in a Council by-election in by-election in Northampton North. The nadir for me was the LD PPC for Harborough (recently re-selected) going to the Press with a story that Edward Garnier QC MP had cancer in 2003. He didn't, thank God.

[matt wright]

I agree that for many the decision to defect is a very hard one that can have geunine roots and not be opportunistic. Guto has proved to be a good Conservative candidate who is clearly much more at home politically,

Matt