Another defection to UKIP

Hugely experienced Tory defects to UKIP

UKIP's latest recruit is a hugely experienced former Tory councillor and constituency chairman who has defected just weeks before the General Election.

Ron Levy will now campaign on behalf of UKIP's parliamentary candidate for Colchester, John Pitts. Mr Levy accused Conservative leader David Cameron of a "blatant act of deceit" by breaking his promise to hold a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty and says the European Union is leading Britain towards "economic and social abyss".

"Now, either David Cameron is too blind to see this or, for some reason, he refuses to reveal, he is unwilling to do so," said Mr Levy, who has more than 40 years experience as a Tory activist.

"The UK Independence Party embodies all the qualities, objectives and policies that I can support, many of which I expected to see in the Conservative Party. But, most importantly, UKIP now speaks for the huge number - probably millions - of people who believe that membership of the EU is destroying our country and who feel the time has come to leave."

David Campbell Bannerman, UKIP's Eastern Counties MEP and parliamentary candidate for South Suffolk, welcomed Mr Levy into the party.

"The great Tory dam is being breached as voters become disillusioned and disaffected with David Cameron," he said. "I expect a flood of defectors who see UKIP as upholding the true Tory position."