New ties between Labour and the Tories
A Yorkshire Labour MEP today took pity on his opposite number from 
the Conservative Party - and bought him a new tie.
Richard Corbett popped to a shop in Strasbourg to make the purchase after learning that his opposite number in Yorkshire, Tory MEP Edward McMillan Scott, had attended an official Tory function completely tie-less for the first time in 22 years.
Richard said:
"I know Edward well and he is not the kind of chap who ought to be seen uncravatted. Hopefully my small contribution will help to avoid this situation arising again."
But the purchase was not entirely innocent - as Richard opted for a distinctive blue-and-gold European Union design, intended to highlight the differences between Tory MEPs and their UK leader, David Cameron.
"Tories without ties are all part of Cameron's attempt to rebrand the Tory party," explained Richard.
"But I know Edward and his colleagues are currently embroiled in a bitter row over another of Cameron's bright ideas - pulling Conservatives out of the mainstream centre-right group in the European Parliament.
"Hopefully this addition to Edward's wardrobe will help him to distance himself from the more extreme eurosceptic policies of his new leader!"
Richard added:
"If any other Tory MEPs would like to show Cameron where their loyalties lie with similar items, I will happily point them in the direction of the European Parliament's souvenir shop."
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- phone 0113 245 8987
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