Straight talking former Tory joins UKIP

Monday, March 21 2011

A highly active member of the Black Country branch of the Campaign Against Political Correctness has left the Tories to defect to UKIP.

Bill Etheridge, who has championed a common sense crusade against such moves as covering up windows at Darlaston Leisure Centre to protect the modesty of swimmers, says the Conservatives’ weak stance over Europe has prompted him to defect to UKIP.

Mr Etheridge, who is 41 and lives in Sedgley, is the spokesman for the Black Country branch of the Campaign Against Political Correctness – a pressure group which has pledged to fight the politically correct brigade.

Now, he is looking forward to fighting under the UKIP banner and for a party committed to straight talking.

His defection to UKIP comes just days after Lyndon Jones, former chairman of the South Staffordshire Conservative Association, confirmed he had also joined UKIP.

Bill, who is married with three step children, said: “I have decided to join UKIP as the Tories have been high jacked by social democrats.

“I feel really betrayed by the Tories who said they were going to be tough on the EU.

“UKIP share my views on the EU, that is we should withdraw from the European Union,” he added.

UKIP West Midlands MEP Mike Nattrass said: “Bill’s decision to join UKIP is yet another boost for the party and is an endorsement of all the good work we have done in the West Midlands region.

“The Tories have conned the British people over Europe. Lyndon and Bill feel betrayed by the Conservatives whose promises over the EU have proved to have been written in invisible ink.

“UKIP is the only party committed to defending the interests of the British people.

“Lyndon and Bill will be great additions to the party and I am delighted to welcome them to UKIP.”