UUP member defects to Tories

A senior member of the Ulster Unionist party has defected to the Conservatives, it has today emerged.

James Leslie, a former junior minister at the Stormont Assembly, said that local politics had gone “stale” and only the Tories shared his ambitions.

Commenting on his decision, Mr Leslie said: "To get serious policy development you need the resources of a national party.

"You can see that clearly in all the political parties in Northern Ireland, there is no serious or fresh thinking."

He is the third UUP member to leave the party to join the Conservatives since June this year, when Peter Bowles and Philip Smith both made the move.

Mr Leslie, an ex MLA and Northern Ireland Policing Board representative, has insisted that his decision to quit was not related to the UUP`s Assembly link-up with the Progressive Unionists Party, who are closely linked with the Ulster Volunteer Force.

Ulster Unionist Party Leader, Sir Reg Empey said that he accepted Mr Leslie's decision and added that he would like to be able to deal with bigger political matters, however these cannot be concentrated on until the matter of devolution is resolved.

He said: "Unfortunately since the last Assembly elections when he wasn't able to contest the seat I don't think he's been particularly active in the organisation.

"But I take this opportunity to wish him well. And should he change his mind in the future I would be delighted to see him return."

Welcoming Mr Leslie's move, the Conservatives Northern Ireland spokesman David Lidington said that it was an indication that more and more people were recognising that the party was serious about organising in Northern Ireland.

(EF/KMcA)