THE Prime Minister no longer has a working majority after Tory MP Philip Lee crossed the floor to the LibDems.
The former minister walked across the Commons chamber to sit with Jo Swinson’s party, later tweeting a statement explaining he feels the party had been "infected" by populism and English nationalism.
Lee's move means Boris Johnson has the first minority government since 1996.
After a great deal of thought, I have reached the conclusion that it is no longer possible to serve my constituents’ and country’s best interests as a Conservative Member of Parliament. My letter to the Prime Minister: pic.twitter.com/0QreSbSdwR
— Dr Phillip Lee MP (@DrPhillipLeeMP) September 3, 2019
“This Conservative government is aggressively pursuing a damaging Brexit in unprincipled ways. It is putting lives and livelihoods at risk unnecessarily and it is wantonly endangering the integrity of the United Kingdom," Lee said.
“More widely, it is undermining our country’s economy, democracy and role in the world. It is using political manipulation, bullying and lies. And it is doing these things in a deliberate and considered way.”
LibDem leader Swinson welcomed Lee, tweeting: "Welcome @DrPhillipLeeMP - you have joined us at the most crucial time. I look forward to working with you to prevent a disastrous Brexit, and to fight for a fairer, more equal society."
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