The BBC reports:
Former Labour MP Bob Marshall-Andrews has defected to the Lib Dems after describing Jeremy Corbyn’s party as a “political basket case”.
Mr Marshall-Andrews told The Times he had jumped ship in light of the Brexit campaign and Labour’s refusal to stand aside in the Richmond Park by-election.
The QC and barrister was MP for Medway from 1997 to 2010.
A Labour spokesman said: “Bob Marshall-Andrews has not been a member of the Labour Party for some years.”
Lib Dem leader Tim Farron said he was “coming over to the only party that is offering a credible opposition to a divisive Tory Brexit government”.
Mr Marshall-Andrews used to sit with the socialist group of Labour MPs alongside Mr Corbyn and shadow chancellor John McDonnell.
Bob Marshall-Andrews was a thorn in Tony Blair’s side for many years and has been an excellent panellist on “Have I got news for you”. Also, by strange coincidence, I once sat behind him and his family on a beach in Cornwall one afternoon.
Welcome to the party, Bob!
* Paul Walter is a Liberal Democrat activist and member of the Liberal Democrat Voice team. He blogs at Liberal Burblings.
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7 Comments
So it;s a case of watch your back, Bob.
Seriously though, Delighted to have such an able man join the party. His radicalism and wit makes it a welcome addition.
We need to attract more Labour moderates who are pro-European.
Was my MP at one time. Always a rebel with a cause. Never loved Tony Blair. I would class him as a Liberal Socialist if that makes sense.
Delighted (and a little surprised) to hear this. Bob M-A’s a bit of a lefty but a strong defender of liberal values like the rule of law – and thoroughly independent-minded, as well as being frequently very entertaining.
Hope his canvassing style has mellowed with the years though (ref https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2001/may/21/election2001.politicalcolumnists?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Tweet)
If we didn’t exist Bob would probably invent something looking very close to the Social Liberal Forum.
I am a bit conflicted on this. He has many of the right instincts and his contributions to HIGNFY were good. He represents many on the Labour left who have a lot in common with us, but who shied away from us during the coalition years.
On the other hand he looks a little like those who had been Tory and Labour MPs who almost come to the libDems as a retirement job.
Nevertheless, Welcome Bob and we hope you can find useful roles with us.
Hi I have never voted for Lib Dem in the past, but I will be this time around, I think brexit is crazy and can’t understand why MAY is prepared to jump off the cliff and drag the UK with her, someone needs to stop her before its to late
I think if the Lib Dem start pushing as much as they can and as loud as they can and dont stop hammering it home that they are the only UK party that will stop Brexit they have a really good chance of being elected
if 48.5% of the population voted to stay in the EU and lots more must have also changed there minds and no longer support brexit after they know the truth. Anyone that can harness this amount of vote’s would automatically be the next government
If Jeremy Corbyn had the any sense and listen to his MPs at the time of the brexit vote and made a stance to stay in the EU he would be winning the next election with the biggest landslide victory. I think that Jeremy Corbyn’s his way or no way attitude is the biggest gift that the Lib Dem party will ever get and they need to make the most of it
Tim Farron has the best chance of any Lib Dem leader with this opportunity to be the next PM
Kind regards
Derek Townsley