A Conservative member of the House of Lords has stepped down from the party’s parliamentary coalition due to “the extent to which my party has shifted to the far right.”
Baroness Sayeeda Warsi, appointed to the House of Lords by David Cameron in 2007 and later serving as chair of the Conservatives, elaborated on her choice through social media.
She stated: “With a heavy heart, I have today communicated to my whip my decision to temporarily cease taking the
Conservatives whip.”
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Shortly after her announcement, the Conservative Party released a statement saying: “Concerns were raised regarding allegedly divisive remarks made by Baroness Sayeeda Warsi. Baroness Warsi was notified that an investigation would commence earlier this week.
“We are obligated to ensure all complaints are investigated impartially.”
Baroness Warsi remarked: “This is a regrettable day for me.
“I identify as a Conservative and continue to do so, yet unfortunately the current party is vastly different from the one I joined and served in the cabinet.”
“My choice reflects how far right my party has progressed and the hypocrisy and double standards in its treatment of various communities.”
“This serves as a timely reminder of the matters I discuss in my book Muslims Don’t Matter.”
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By not accepting the whip, Baroness Warsi will not be obliged to vote consistently with the party, but she will also forfeit the privileges associated with being part of the parliamentary group.
She has been a strong advocate against Islamophobia within the Conservative Party and has been outspoken against prominent figures.
Further reading:
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Her last position in government was as a minister for the Foreign Office in 2014, a role she stepped down from due to the government’s stance on Gaza.
She argued that the UK’s position at that time was “morally indefensible” and called for a weapons embargo against Israel.
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Recently, she accused Grant Shapps of provoking a “strange culture war debate regarding wokery” during his tenure as defence secretary.
Last year, she described Suella Braverman as “hazardous” and “divisive” in response to remarks made by the former home secretary concerning pro-Palestinian demonstrations.
