Andrew Bridgen MP has joined Laurence Fox’s Reclaim Party after he was kicked out of the Conservative party for comparing Covid-19 vaccines to the Holocaust.
Announcing this morning that he was joining Reclaim as its first MP, the North West Leicestershire representative said there was a "chasm" between Parliament and the people.
In a pre-recorded video shared on social media, he said: "The ability to go out to work and keep more of your own money, freedom of speech, protection of your own family, taking responsibility of your own affairs; they're the bedrock of this country and that's how we've prospered over the years.
"There doesn't see to be a party in Westminster that embodies those values any more.
Andrew Bridgen was unveiled as the Reclaim Party's first MP today at a press conference with Laurence Fox
PA
"There's a huge chasm now between our parliament and what goes on in Westminster and the people. And that chasm is getting ever wider.
"We used to have a parliament that legislated for the people, now we have a parliament that inflicts laws on the people.
"When the people are scared of the people, that's tyranny. And when the politicians are scared of the people, that's democracy. That's why I've joined the Reclaim Party."
He said the Laurence Fox's party “respects free speech as the basis for every aspect of our democracy and our society”.
Andrew Bridgen said Laurence Fox's party 'respects free speech as the basis for every aspect of our democracy'
PA
Bridgen was stripped of the Tory party whip in January after making the vaccines comparison to the Nazi genocide in the Second World War, claiming coronavirus jabs were “the biggest crime against humanity since the Holocaust”.
After an investigation, it was decided to expel him from the governing party last month.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak had condemned his comments as “utterly unacceptable”.
Criticising the Tories, in an interview with GB News, Bridgen added: "I haven't lost my Conservative values, I think the Conservative party currently I find unrecognisable.
"It's by far the east Conservative Government I've ever served in and I think it's a huge opportunity lost.
"I think the Conservative Party has lost its way and I think it no longer is relatable to the hopes and aspirations of the people."
Speaking today, Fox - who is also a GB News Presenter - said his party was planning to target "problematic" MPs at the next election.
He said the party would not stand 650 candidates at the next election, but would engage in a “very targeted” campaign.
“We will support anybody who is challenging this two-cheeks-of-the-same-arse Parliament,” he added.