Ewan Smith-Wainwright, who took over as Isle of Wight UKIP branch chairman when Iain McKie resigned in January, has joined the Conservative party.
In an email that OnTheWight has seen, the former branch chairman (pictured) wrote to members on Wednesday evening to inform them he would not be renewing his membership with UKIP.
In his words
Ewan Smith-Wainwright, who resigned as branch chairman in April, told OnTheWight this morning,
“It is deeply concerning that the content of private emails have been leaked to the press.
“I have resigned my membership in UKIP and joined the Conservative party – and such actions as leaking emails to the press are not unconnected to my reason for leaving.
“I believe these emails were leaked in an attempt to damage me personally and that is regrettable.
“I would like to say that the vast majority of UKIP members are genuine, decent, hard-working people, who are let down by one or two.”
“A personal decision”
In his email to a handful of UKIP members, Ewan states that he’s decided to join the Conservative party, adding that this was “not a rushed decision”.
Ewan finished by saying that although he knew it may be a shock to some members, that it was a “personal decision” and that he would see them during “our campaigning for the referendum”.
UKIP sorry to lose him
Rose Lynden-Bell, UKIP IW Branch secretary told OnTheWight,
“I’m sorry to lose such a young and energetic potential campaigner.”
Image: © Ewan Smith-Wainwright
