_

_

_

_

_

 

26Nov07

LIB DEM MEP DEFECTS TO CONSERVATIVES

North West MEP Sajjad Karim has joined the Conservatives today saying the Lib Dems had "lost their way." Mr Karim was first elected to the European Parliament in 2004 and is one of nine Euro MPs representing the North West of England.

The news was welcomed by prospective Conservative MP Mark Versallion who said, “I am pleased to welcome Sajjad to the Conservatives and I’m sure he will work well with our three other Conservative MEPs in the north west. I’m sure he will not be the last Liberal Democrat to take this decision. This is further proof that only the Conservatives can beat Labour at the next election.”

Sajjad Karim added: “Two years ago David Cameron described himself as a Liberal Conservative and that's very much how I see myself. But I needed to be convinced that he could change his party and now I am.

"David Cameron's recent speech on immigration was incredibly impressive - sensible, rational and positive. It persuaded me that he is a leader who has changed his party and will change this country. "I'm afraid that the Liberal Democrats have lost their way and are no longer a serious force in politics. I'm here to serve the people of the North West and I think I can only do that now as a Conservative.