Nigel Farage offers UKIP spot to Reckless and Crouch

Mark Reckless and Tracey Crouch

Tucked away in the "Letters to the Editor" section of today's Medway Messenger is a letter from Nigel Farage of UKIP with an interesting offer. It is the same offer that he made to any Conservative MP in last night's Evening Standard.

The letter in the Messenger congratulates Tracey Crouch and Mark Reckless for their stance on Monday and that they put the interests of the country and their constituents first before career and party line. This is indeed backed up by some to the "Webchat" in the next column which I will come too at the end.

Mr Farage also offers a spot for the MPs in UKIP.

By staying in the Conservative party, MPs such as Mr Reckless and Miss Crouch are fighting a losing battle and if they wished to join a party who believes as he does, that the people should decide their own future, he should join the UK Independence Party.

Most of the letter is actually directed at Mark Reckless, no doubt Mr Farage is aware that Miss Crouch's voting record in the House of Commons has been for greater integration with Europe according to the Public Whip. 

Personally I cannot imagine either MP defecting to UKIP. I understand that there is a certain disquiet and even anger at the Europe decision in some quarters of the Conservative party but mass defections seem unlikely, especially from a long standing Conservative Councillor and member like Mark Reckless.

As I mentioned the KM has also printed a couple of comments supporting them both;

Congratulations to both of them for listening to their constituents and not being bullied by the PM and the Whips. For those that say this is not the right time for a referendum, can they please tell us when that time will be. -Trevor

There has also been stiff criticism for Rehman Chishti MP for Rainham and Gillingham for his support of the Government line.

I see Reh Chishti toed the party line again. - Jon

And more importantly by former resident and esteemed fellow Blogger Alan W Collins and Conservative party member.

In politics, your constituents come before your party and you career. I have moved from Medway so will not have a vote in 2015, when Gillingham and Rainham is likely to lose a Tory stronghold and gain a Labour Stronghold. I hope Mr Chishti knows how hard he needs to persuade the constituents he betrayed that it won't happen again if he wants to regain the trust.
Strong words. Personally Mr Chishti voted the way I would have wanted him to, siting that it is better to concentrate on Home issues first and a referendum later but I also know that the "Out" and anti EU voices are louder with strong passion. I respect their opinion and more importantly respect Miss Crouch and Mr Reckless for their bravery in defying the Government and representing their constituents. It was a tough call, one I don't think I could make.