RUGBY GREEN PARTY GENERAL ELECTION CANDIDATE DEFECTS TO THE LIBERAL DEMOCRATS

Former Rugby Green Party general election candidate Terry White, 22, has defected to the Liberal Democrats following differences with himself and the national Green Party. He has rejoined a party he left at the start of the previous government as a result of the direction he felt the party was heading in but said he is 'confident in the fight back of the party following the election of Tim Farron as party leader and the spirit of the modern party.'

Terry has stepped down in his role as co-ordinator of the local party and chair of the midlands regional co-ordinator of the under 30 branch of the Green Party also following disputes in the practices of the national party. 'There is ambition in the Green Party definitely. But that is all there is. Ambition,' says Mr White. 'I believe in democracy and the fact that the Green Party protested about the fact the conservatives won a mandate to govern the country is simply sickening. I don't like the Conservatives as much as the next Green Party member but I also respect the process of an election.'

Terry also expressed his dissatisfaction in the way the Greens work internally. 'It is a hard place to be if you are a male. We had to re-run the ballot twice at the election hustings as no female would come forward to stand. The gender rules in the party will mean that it is near impossible for a male to lead the party. Don't get me wrong as a liberal feminist I believe there are requirements needed to promote gender equality but the way it works in the greens is near anti-male as opposed to there being constructive feminist values in place. In the mean time my needs as an autistic in the party were being overlooked on a national level in the name of preventing a male to speak out.'

Terry also reflected on his work ahead. 'I spoke with my former opponent Ed Goncalves who I believe was an excellent candidate and he has made me feel very welcome along with Jerry Roodhouse. I am excited for my journey ahead and I am looking forward to picking up where I left off. There is a lot of rebuilding to do and trust to win back. Of course we got tuition fees wrong and I won't defend that. But I remember campaigning five years ago to end income tax on the first £10k you earn and for the pupil premium, which were two Lib Dem policies now in law I am extremely proud of. I am also looking forward to the EU referendum campaign. I believe the referendum is in the interests of British people and I am looking forward to declaring I wish to remain in Europe and taking the campaign to the streets of Rugby.'