Michael Heseltine: Conservative peer has party whip suspended after saying he will vote for Liberal Democrats
‘Endorsing candidates of another party is not compatible with taking the Conservative whip in parliament,’ says Tory spokesperson
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Michael Heseltine has had the Conservative Party whip suspended after saying he would vote for the Liberal Democrats in this week’s European parliament elections.
The Tory peer’s comments led to calls for him to be expelled from the party.
Lord Heseltine, a former deputy prime minister, said it was a “matter of conscience” and that he wanted to vote for a candidate who would oppose Brexit.
“I cannot, with a clear conscience, vote for my party when it is myopically focused on forcing through the biggest act of economic self-harm ever undertaken by a democratic government,” he said in an article in the Sunday Times.
His call for the Conservatives to move back to the political centre ground was supported by former PM Sir John Major.
But hardline Brexiteer MP Andrew Bridgen reacted with fury, telling BBC Radio 5 Live that “Lord Heseltine’s arrogance that he knows better than the majority of the electorate [is] really quite breathtaking”.
On Monday night a spokesman for the Tories said: “Lord Heseltine has given more than half a century of service to the Conservative Party, and his longstanding and sincerely held views on Europe are well understood.
“But, with his long experience, he will know that publicly endorsing the candidates of another party is not compatible with taking the Conservative whip in parliament.
“As a result, the chief whip in the House of Lords has informed Lord Heseltine that he will have the Conservative whip suspended. This will be reviewed if he is willing to support Conservative candidates at future elections.”
Lord Heseltine, 86, was a key figure in Sir John’s and Margaret Thatcher’s governments, and advised David Cameron.
Two years ago he was sacked from five advisory roles after voting against the government on Brexit.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments