Derby Day: 300 Simultaneous Defectors? No, Sorry, 25

Losing three hundred valued Labour members to the Tories in one fell swoop seemed a little unlikely. Though as we reported it was not going down well in ever-decreasing Tory circles anyway. A clever chap called James Maskell at Conservative Home commented thusly:

I would urge caution. If it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is. I would put money on it that they all know each other. Its a basic political tool to sign up a political party in order to create change from the inside. Espionage and spying are key tactics in political subterfuge to gain advantage.
Posted by: James Maskell | February 24, 2008 at 13:50

In fact as local press reports after the "mass defection" it was a bit of a damp squib. Just one councillor crossed. And only about two dozen ordinary members. And the Tory deputy leader is standing down.

Thanks to Graeme Smith for the tip off. He says he'd rather cut off his toes than join the Tories. He switched from Lib Dem member to Labour when he found he was still minded to vote Labour! Graeme is now a councillor.