Welsh Tory Leader Darren Millar said:
“This morning, I took the decision to remove James Evans from the Welsh Conservative Shadow Cabinet and withdraw the Conservative whip.
I did so after being informed by James that he was continuing to engage with Reform representatives about the possibility of defecting to the party, in spite of his personal assurances on Friday that he had rejected an approach they initiated last week.
Understandably, I expect all Welsh Conservative MSs and candidates to be 100% committed to our party and our plan to fix Wales. Regrettably, James was unable to give me that commitment.”
107 days until Transfer Deadline Day…
UPDATE: This comes two days after Evans – Welsh Shadow Health Secretary – said:
“I will be honest with people, I think Britain is broken. We have to take some level of responsibility for the mess this country is in.”
He said “I’m not getting into what conversations I’ve had” with Reform. Enough for CCHQ to drop the guillotine…
Guido is providing an up-to-date list of Tory-to-Reform defections so far. Drip drip…
UPDATE: Andrew Rosindell has become the 28th newsworthy defector. Farage says May 7 is the deadline for any Tories to jump ship. Looming…
Guido will update the list if and when there are more defections. Click here to access the full spreadsheet…
Speaking to Sky News off the back of Rachel Reeves’ Air Passenger Duty hike, Ryanair chief executive Michael O’Leary said:
“Labour is dependent on those Red Wall seats, and yet every move she makes poisons economic growth and damages the UK’s recovery… it’s the Chancellor who stumbles from policy misstep to policy misstep… I think her policy decisions are incredibly stupid.”