Voters in East Kilbride react to MP's defection from SNP

Nigel Heath said he gave up his SNP membership after his MP defected from the party

Constituents in East Kilbride have told BBC Scotland News they are "shocked" their MP Lisa Cameron has switched party allegiance.

The East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow MP will now represent the area as a Conservative MP and has been welcomed by the prime minister.

Dr Cameron said she quit the SNP because of a "toxic" culture in the Westminster group.

Some constituents have joined calls for a by-election to be held in the area.

• MP Lisa Cameron defects from SNP to Conservatives

Nigel Heath is a retired Baptist minister from East Kilbride and now a former member of the SNP.

"This morning, I resigned my membership of the SNP," he said. "Lisa Cameron's defection is the straw that broke the camel's back. I don't think she's been treated well by the party, she's been excellent."

"I'm very surprised she's defected to the Conservatives but where else do you go? It says a lot about the other parties when you defect to the Conservatives."

He also raised concerns about the way Dr Cameron claims she was treated by the SNP.

The MP previously said she had been "ostracised" by the party after speaking out over the handling of allegations against former Westminster chief whip Patrick Grady.

Mr Heath said he had a lot of "respect" for the MP, adding: "She's been treated abysmally by certain members of the public. She's worked hard and sacrificially."

"She's not been supported by senior leadership within the SNP."

Colin Macdonald said voters were becoming "ostracised" by party politics

Financial adviser Colin MacDonald questioned how the MP's "ideological beliefs" could have changed so drastically, while "in a sitting parliament".

He said: "You can see why people don't take an interest in politics when decisions like this happen and nobody has any power to influence.

"I don't think this should be happening in Scotland, I don't think you should be able to just change your colours and attach yourself to a new party."

In a statement, Dr Cameron claimed families, including her own, had "experienced significant division regarding the issue of independence".

• SNP MP 'can't rule out forcing a by-election'

Jean and John Davies said they were "surprised" to hear the news, having had help from the MP previously.

Mr Davies said: "The reasons that she cites are concerning, if there's been bullying.

"I suppose the reasons are her own, I'm disappointed that it's happened to her and I wish her all the best because she's been good for the town.

"I'm a wee bit surprised that she's gone to the Tories but that's her choice."

He added "common sense should prevail" and a by-election should be called.

Jean and John Davies said they were surprised at the MP's decision to join the Conservative party

Ms Davies added: "It's a surprise, because we have dealt with her. She's been very good, we had an incident that we needed her help and she successfully did that.

When asked if she would vote for Lisa Cameron as a Conservative MP, Ms Davies replied "no".

They weren't the only constituents in East Kilbride who were shocked at the news.

Kimberley Smith said Dr Cameron was well known among constituents

Kimberley Smith, who works in a local pharmacy, told BBC Scotland News people in the area were surprised by the news

She said: "I'm quite shocked actually. I think everybody will be, because her name's about, everybody knows her.

"I thought she was really, really investing everything in the SNP."

Ms Cameron was first elected to represent the East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow constituency in 2015 and has since been re-elected twice in 2019 and 2019.

She previously told BBC News Scotland her main focus was continuing her stay at Westminster - but she had to be "honest" about her future and may return to her professional career in healthcare.

The defection means the Conservatives now have 353 MPs, including seven from the Scottish Tories, while the SNP have 43.