Ukip demands by-election after Reckless defects back to Tories
Ukip is facing new turmoil after former MP Mark Reckless said he was quitting the party to join the Conservative group in the Welsh Assembly.
Announcing the move, Mr Reckless, who originally defected to Ukip from the Tories in 2014, said he was delighted to have made the Tories the official opposition in Wales but faced criticism from Ukip, who described the move as “disappointing”.
In response to claims he should stand down because he was elected through the party list system, which meant voters were voting for the party rather than individual candidates, Mr Reckless said he would “love to hold a by-election as I did previously so that I can test my decision and get the voters’ sup- port for what I am doing”. He said: “Unfortunately, the proportional representation system we have in Wales doesn’t allow that.”
Ukip party chairman Paul Oakden said Mr Reckless should give up his seat for a Ukip candidate.
“Having been elected as a Conservative in Rochester and Strood, Mark didn’t think it right to sit as an MP for another party without asking the electorate for their endorsement in a by-election.
“A position that was as right as it was honourable,” he said.
“It is now incumbent on Mark Reckless to relinquish a position he has only by virtue of a Ukip mandate.”