In a humiliating body blow, spread-betting millionaire Stuart Wheeler wrote a cheque for £100,000 to UKIP. And he said he will be voting for them in the June Euro elections. He told the News of the World Brussels is a bigger threat to Britain than the economic crisis and he is fed up with leader Cameron's decision to ignore it. He said: "The EU is doing so much damage to our economy and way of life that I can no longer vote Conservative at the European elections. "The Conservatives, though perhaps more eurosceptic than Labour, just wish no one would talk about the EU so that they can win the general election in peace." In 2000 Mr Wheeler gave the Tories £5million, their biggest single donation. He has continued to back them since, but has become increasingly angry at Mr Cameron. He now says he has serious doubts that the Tory leader will carry out his promise to hold a referendum on the EU Constitutional Treaty. And he thinks British voters still believe Britain's future in Europe is a major issue. Mr Wheeler added: "My doubts about his commitment to doing anything effective were increased this week when I was told that he had got 70 Conservative MPs together and told them the EU issue did not matter! "It fits in with what a great many people believe to be his attitude. He simply must stick to the commitment he gave." Mr Wheeler said he was backing UKIP because their position was clear, and warned the Tories they are missing votes because they are down-playing Europe. He said: "The public know that the EU is incompetent, ineffective, hidebound and riven with fraud but the current political class in Westminster don't want to talk about it. "I believe millions of people want a say and by voting UKIP they can be heard." Mr Wheeler's decision means Mr Cameron may have to expel one of his biggest financial backers 15 months before a possible General Election. The millionaire says he plans to remain a Tory party member and to vote for them in the June local elections, held on the same day as the EU vote. Nigel Farage, UKIP leader, said he was "thrilled" to gain Mr Wheeler's support. A Tory spokesman said: "Our policies on Europe are robust and we're committed to a referendum on the Lisbon Treaty. "Conservative policy on Europe - as on other matters - is decided by David Cameron and his Shadow Cabinet and not by any donors." But last night Labour MPs predicted Mr Wheeler's defection would be first of many. Government whip John Spellar said: "The careful facade is starting to crumble. "Cameron has been trying to ride two horses, the left and right wings of his party. Now he has been found out." By Stuart Wheeler IN 2001 I gave to the Conservatives the biggest donation they had ever received and I continue to remain a regular supporter. Yet I shall vote UKIP in the European elections on June 4 and I have just given them a decent donation. Why? The answer is simple. The EU is a disaster, even worse than the recession because the recession will end some time but the EU may not. I want voters to send a clear message about the massive harm our membership is doing to us. On Wednesday Gordon Brown spoke of a Europe of peace and unity which would rank among the finest achievements of human history! The Conservatives just wish no one would talk about the EU so they can win the general election in peace. This country has not been successfully invaded since William the Conqueror in 1066, yet most of our laws are now made in Brussels by unelected commissioners, who impoverish the people of the EU, while making fortunes themselves. At the same time the Hungarians threaten that five million unemployed migrants will head West unless we bail them out. How much do they want? About £160 billion! The EU costs about £1,000 per annum for every man, woman, child and baby in this country. How can this conceivably be worth it? What are the colossal benefits? In 2007 David Cameron wrote: "Today I will give this cast-iron guarantee: If I become PM a Conservative government will hold a referendum on any EU treaty that emerges from these negotiations . . . " He simply must stick to the commitment he gave.
EU are useless
£5m Tory donor slams Cam and gives UKIP £100k
THE Tories' top donor last night blasted David Cameron and sensationally defected to the euro-sceptic UK Independence Party.
Incompetent
Stick to pledge
Sunday 29 March 2009
SLAMMED: David Cameron
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