As arguably the most high-profile Tory backbencher in the House of Commons, as well as being an ardent backbencher, the defection of Lee Anderson represents a massive coup for Richard Tice’s Reform UK.
But given that the general election is just months away, the MP has taken an enormous gamble with his political career – so today Express.co.uk readers are being asked: what is he right to do so?
Rumours about Mr Anderson, 57, a former coal miner and ex-Labour councillor who was elected for the constituency of Ashfield in Nottinghamshire in 2019 as part of the Red Wall surge, have been swirling around Westminster for months.
Speaking to Express.co.uk last month, David White, a member of Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council who likewise quit the Tories for Reform UK, and who now acts as an unofficial recruiter, said: “There’s always rumours about Lee Anderson, £400,000 bribes and all this nonsense, but we are talking to MPs and there’s a massive amount of interest.
“And what some of these guys are saying is we don’t really want to wait till after the election when we are shot to pieces because that looks like we’re just jumping ship.”
His remark was a reference to a claim made by Mr Anderson himself, who claimed in January he had turned down the figure to join Reform.
The 57-year-old currently earns £100,000 a year presenting a show on GB News, in addition to the £86,584 he earns annually as an MP.
Speculation increased dramatically after Mr Anderson was suspended by the party for remarks made about London Mayor Sadiq Khan, whom he accused of surrendering the capital to Islamists in remarks seen by many as Islamaphobic – although Prime Minister Rishi Sunak did not describe them as such.
In a statement issued after his suspension, he said: “When you think you are right you should never apologise because to do so would be a sign of weakness.
“My words may have been clumsy but my words were borne out of sheer frustration at what is happening to our beautiful capital city.”
He subsequently appeared to criticise the Tories, suggesting they “could have given me a little bit more backing”.
Asking on GB News whether he would quit the Conservatives for Reform, Mr Anderson said he had “been on a political journey”.
He added: “You’ll say Lee Anderson rules out/doesn’t rule out joining the Reform party, so I’m making no comment on my future.”
Reform UK leader Mr Tice said Mr Anderson “may have been clumsy in his precise choice of words, but his sentiments are supported by millions of British citizens, including myself”.
He added: “I do not and will not give a running commentary on any discussions I have with any MPs, but those MPs have my number.”
