Did another Tory MP defect to Ukip? No. Here’s how Twitter reacted and bookies’ changed odds
Another tory MP defection to Ukip was almost certain the bookies said.
With Ukip calling a press conference, everyone was pretty confident this was the moment for a third defection after Mark Reckless and Douglas Carswell.
Alas no. To much disappointment, there was news (of sorts), but not the much anticipated defection everyone was holdng their breath for.
It looks like Ukip might have slightly misjudged the media’s appetite for Ukip related news, and Ladbrokes have changed their odds.
The bookie said defectors have now made their move and its odds-on (8/1) that Mark Reckless will be the last pre-election defection. Good news for Cameron who must have been on the edge of his seat all week.
Here's how Twitter reacted.
UKip need to go back and study expectations management 101. Lotta pissed off hacks oft this is it.
— Paul Waugh (@paulwaugh) October 1, 2014
Hell hath no fury like political / lobby journalists forced to decamp to Bristol for an underwhelming announcement from UKIP
— laurencethinks (@LaurenceThinks) October 1, 2014
It's a bit like that Thick of it Episode where journos all dragged to outer London for non-announcement. Not even dog asbos!
— Jacqui Smith (@Jacqui_Smith1) October 1, 2014
Is that it? A million quid from stroppy Arron Banks – upping it from £100k because Hague didn't know who he was – but no UKIP defection.
— Tom Newton Dunn (@tnewtondunn) October 1, 2014
The hacks will be really p*ssed off at being taken to Bristol for that #ukip
— Tim Montgomerie 🇬🇧 (@montie) October 1, 2014
Assume that £1 million cheque is for the hacks themselves. They were told it would be 'worth it' after all
— Isabel Hardman (@IsabelHardman) October 1, 2014
I know Ukip say they don't care about the media and so on, but doing this to them in the middle of conference season seems almost cruel.
— Sean Kemp (@Sean_Kemp) October 1, 2014
https://twitter.com/JananGanesh/status/517348240434286593
Rare misstep from Ukip there. Press don't mind racism or hypocrisy. But make 'em go to Bristol…
— Ian Dunt (@IanDunt) October 1, 2014
I really hope Arron Banks' butler lets @christopherhope use his washing machine as compensation. #mansionhacks
— Paul Waugh (@paulwaugh) October 1, 2014
But maybe there is more to come after all?
@paulwaugh Farage said the money would help with 'four' upcoming by-elections. There are only 3 so far. Must know something we don't
— Daniel Bond (@danbond1) October 1, 2014
Today's non-defection to UKIP has a touch of Brown's non-election in October 2007 about it. After that the media turned on Gordon.
— Mike Smithson (@MSmithsonPB) October 1, 2014