A FORMER Green Party parliamentary candidate has jumped ship and joined the Tories.

Karen Moran stood for the Green Party in Beckenham during the 2001 general election but has decided to become a member of the Conservative Party.

She has now pledged to support Lewisham West and Penge prospective parliamentary candidate Chris Phillips in the next election.

The former Bromley Green Party co-ordinator for Crystal Palace said: “The Conservative Party has changed and Chris Phillips embodies that change and that’s why I am delighted to pledge my support to him and his campaign to be the next MP for Lewisham West and Penge.”

Ms Moran joined the Green Party in 1999 and stood in the local elections in Crystal Palace in 2002 and 2006.