County's only Tory MP 'won't follow Jenrick'

Lancashire's sole Conservative MP says he will not be following Robert Jenrick or any other high-profile Tory defectors to Reform UK.

Former Shadow Justice Secretary Jenrick made the switch on Thursday after being sacked by Leader of the Opposition Kemi Badenoch for plotting to defect.

Earlier this week former Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi also joined Nigel Farage's party.

But Fylde MP Andrew Snowden said Reform UK "seems to be a dumping ground for people who don't see themselves as having a political future in the Conservatives... Reform is starting to increasingly feel a little bit like our 'B team'."

In Lancashire a number of Conservatives have defected to Reform UK, most notably the former MP for Rossendale and Darwen, Jake Berry, and the leader of Lancashire County Council, Stephen Atkinson.

Despite these moves, Snowden thinks voters in the county will gravitate back to the Tories.

He said: "When other people bankrupt the country, the Conservatives come and put the finances back in order.

"Foreign affairs? The Conservatives come in and sort it all out.

"That's basically what happens."

Snowden believes Badenoch continues to be the right person to lead his party.

He said: "She's got that real decisive streak of someone who's not afraid to say 'You know what? I draw a line here, you're fired!' and I think that will play well against the slippery snakes that may want to slip off elsewhere."

Listen to the best of BBC Radio Lancashire on Sounds and follow BBC Lancashire on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.