Labour PPC joins the Conservative Party

The former Labour parliamentary candidate for Horsham, Rehman Chishti, has defected to the Conservatives. He stood against Francis Maude at the last election with a 3.1% swing against him. Francis said that:

“Rehman is an extremely able and respected politician, as I found out at first hand when he stood against me. I am delighted that someone with his energy and talent has joined the Conservative Party. I have appointed him as my adviser on diversity and ethnic minorities.”

In 2003 he was elected as a Labour Councillor in Medway Council, at the age of 24 years. Rehman was born in Pakistan and studied law in Aberystwyth where he was active in student politics. He was called to the bar in 2001 and has worked for some politicians, including Benazir Bhutto the former PM of Pakistan, and Helen Clark. In announcing his decision he said:

“I’m delighted to have joined the Conservative Party. Under David Cameron, the Conservatives provide hope and inspiration to the public at large who have become disillusioned with New Labour. Tony Blair’s Labour Party increasingly takes voters for granted and is out of touch with modern Britain.”

A Labour defection was rumoured over the weekend, and several people on this site registered their objection to whoever it was being parachuted into a safe seat. If he is treated well however, others may consider making the jump. This is excellent news for Cameron two days before his one hundredth day as leader, but there is more to do before we get MPs crossing the floor

Deputy Editor

Comments

[johnC]

'most people that erect big tents do so to accommodate a circus.'

Erecting a circus tent ? I knew there would be a policy group that John Major could lead. Now all we need are some clowns.....

[Appalled]

Clowns? Easy - Oliver Leftwing, Hezza, John "BSE burger" Gummer, Zac "windmill" Goldsmith.

[James Maskell]

I think a post by him would be a good idea. An article explaining to us who he is and why he chose to leave Labour and join the Conservatives. It may well be a trial by ordeal but does he expect anything less by the press? Writing a post for us would be a lesser ordeal than an interview with a major newspaper IMO.

[Richard Carey]

Some of these recent threads about defections have made me have a wry smile to myself, rather like the post recently on one thread where I think I saw the word "electable" used as a derogatory term!

Why should we not issue a cry of "come and join us!", having presented an attractive vision? If people like what a modern, compassionate Conservative Party is offering, want to help us win and are willing to work hard with us, whatever their previous allegiance, we should welcome them without reservation.

Our Party rules have a bar on people holding membership or campaigning on behalf of another party while members, and of course very rightly so. But I don't feel that potential new members, wherever they are previously from politically, should be seen as "less worthy" than any of the rest of us, or have to face some kind of ideological trial. They should be appreciated and asked to serve according to their talents, as should any member.

Of course the Party has discretionary control over its own membership, to be used in rare cases where a particular individual causes concern, but generally...

Come and join us!

[Daniel Vince-Archer]

"Why should we not issue a cry of "come and join us!", having presented an attractive vision?"

Because we're a serious political party, not a sort of Salvation Army for political opportunists whose careers have stalled elsewhere.

If people want to join the Conservatives because they genuinely believe in (and are willing to fight for) the Conservative cause, that's fantastic, but if these people are joining the party due to naked opportunism on their part and a desire for the loin-cloth of inclusiveness on our part, that's a trend I'd rather we didn't encourage thank you very much.

[Richard Carey]

DVA: "If people want to join the Conservatives because they genuinely believe in (and are willing to fight for) the Conservative cause, that's fantastic, but if these people are joining the party due to naked opportunism on their part and a desire for the loin-cloth of inclusiveness on our part..."

In principle, I would probably be forced to agree. In practice, I am unable to envisage a practical form of "screening" that I would be comfortable with to distinguish the latter without discouraging the former group.

I am, however, absolutely on board with the point ably made by a number of contributors that any positions offered, whether to a long-term member of the Party, a recent defector or a recent new member with no previous alignment, should be simply on the basis of ability to do the job.

[Matthew Oxley]

Well done Maude, I think he's quite well on track to get a single-figure approval rating in the next poll.

I'm not particulary worried about this new bloke being offered a seat (a list or otherwise) because I'm sure if he's close enough to Maude he will have far more influence than our MP's anyway.

[Alison Anne Smith]

This is completely laughable. My faith in the Party's "great & the good" has finally gone.

[Atiq Malik]

and has worked for some politicians, including Benazir Bhutto the former PM of Pakistan.

Never heard of his name in Pakistani Political Circles.

I think but not sure he is the same person who sought Labour party nomination for Brent South in 2005 as well.

Regards

[Horsham Martin]

Ray was an excellend campaigner in Horsham- Francis Maude has verified this and saw huge talent. Having people like RC on board will be vital in winning the next general election. We should welcome quality calibre candidates to the party.