UK MP Defects from Conservatives to Right-Wing Party, Deemed Blow to PM Sunak
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Anderson was suspended from UK's Conservative Party over accusations of Islamophobia and has now defected to the small right-wing Reform UK party.
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His defection gives Reform UK its first member of parliament and is seen as a blow to PM Sunak ahead of elections, with Reform expected to draw votes from Conservatives.
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Anderson wants tougher immigration laws and was suspended last month for refusing to apologize for remarks about London's Muslim mayor being under control of "Islamists".
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Reform UK achieved its best election result last month, taking 13% of votes in a constituency once considered a safe Conservative seat.
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The Conservative Party said it regretted Anderson's defection and warned that voting Reform UK could lead to a Labour govt under Keir Starmer.