|
|
Article: British Conservative Defects To Opposition Labor Party
- Article from:
- The Washington Post
- Article date:
- October 9, 1995
CopyrightThis material is published under license from the Washington Post. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Washington Post. (Hide copyright information)
|
A member of Parliament has defected to the opposition just days
before the embattled Conservative Party begins its annual conference
in the weakest position since dumping Margaret Thatcher five years
ago.
Alan Howarth, 51, is the first Conservative ever to switch to the
left-of-center Labor Party.
His move reduces Prime Minister John Major's majority in the 651-
seat House of Commons to only five, leaving Major vulnerable to
parliamentary defeat before national elections must be held in May
1997.
Howarth, a former government minister, said Saturday that he quit ...