SNP MP Lisa Cameron announced today that she has defected to the Tories over “toxic and bullying” treatment from colleagues, the Daily Mail reports. Last month she failed to mention her party affiliation anywhere on her campaign literature. Long time coming?
She thanked Rishi Sunak for his support in recent weeks. She also claimed “being in the SNP has been bad for my health“. Hardly the headlines the SNP were hoping for going into conference…
UPDATE: Rishi has released a statement welcoming his newest MP to fold:
“I am delighted that Lisa Cameron has decided to join the Conservatives. She is a brave and committed constituency MP. Lisa is right that we should aim to do politics better, with more empathy and less division and a dedication to always doing what we think is right.
I look forward to working with her on the disability issues she has championed so passionately in parliament, and on the issues that really matter to her constituents in East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow.
“Her decision is a sign that we are the party for those who will make constructive, long term decisions for a brighter future for the whole of the UK.”
Read her full statement below:
It’s been a year to forget for the SNP, which might explain why Scot Nat MP Lisa Cameron failed to mention her party affiliation anywhere on her campaign literature. Across the leaflet, there’s not a mention of the SNP, Humza Yousaf or independence anywhere. Instead, the political literature is adorned with a photo of the MP alongside Lindsay Hoyle – he won’t like that. Although the Twitterati is quick to point out when a Tory forgets to put their party in their bio, Guido doubts Carol Vorderman and co will be kicking up a fuss this time…
For any co-conspirators still unconvinced that Lisa might be embarrassed by her party, try spotting the difference between her recent campaigning material and one from a past election:
No prizes for guessing which came before the SNP’s monumental collapse…
SNP MP Lisa Cameron has shown dedicated support to World Parkinson’s Day on social media today following her attendance at an MP photoshoot to bring awareness to the condition this morning. Taking to Twitter Cameron used her own words to articulate her support for the cause:
“Privileged to show my support for those suffering from Parkinson’s Disease on World Parkinson’s Day. MP for [insert constituency] shows [his/her/their] support on #WorldParkinson’sDay 2022 encouraging people to #TalkAboutParkinsons.”
Shaky backing at best…
Vince Cable has long been a staunch advocate of greater Huawei involvement in the UK. From stepping down as Business Secretary in 2015 right up to this year he’s been busy penning op-eds talking them up and defending them in interviews. He even launched a public attack on Theresa May in 2016 over the fact that she demanded more stringent security vetting for Huawei when they were in Government together…
Luckily for Vince all that loyalty hasn’t gone unrewarded, he was happily enjoying Huawei’s hospitality at their Summer Reception in Banqueting House on Whitehall last night. Also on the guestlist were Shadow Business Minister Chi Onwurah and Labour MP Daniel Zeichner, the SNP’s Lisa Cameron and Tory peers Lucy Neville-Rolfe, Michael Bates and David Willetts who gave a speech opposing a blanket ban on Huawei 5G technology. Whether or not they’re allowed to help connect the UK’s 5G network, they’re certainly good at making connections in Parliament…
Is it too cynical of Guido to wonder if old twinkle toes is not thinking about his retirement and that perhaps a few non-executive directorships for the former Business Secretary would be in order. Given Vince’s SpAd at BEIS was Ashley Lumsden, who just so happens to now be head of Government Relations for Huawei, this is more likely than you might think. At least that way he’ll get paid for the service he is now giving Huawei for free…
