Stan Collymore ‘joins SNP’ in wake of Syria vote

FORMER footballer Stan Collymore joined the SNP in the aftermath of yesterday’s vote on Syrian air strikes.

By PATRICK McPARTLIN Thursday, 3rd December 2015, 7:38 am

Footballer-turned-pundit Stan Collymore. Picture: Getty Images

The ex-Liverpool and Nottingham Forest striker, who is a prominent supporter of the Republic group that campaigns for an elected UK head of state, tweeted on Wednesday night: “Only rejoined Labour a couple of months ago.

“Have to cancel again now. Can an Englishman join the SNP?”

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The former Aston Villa forward later tweeted a screenshot appearing to show an email from the SNP, with the subject ‘SNP payment received’ and a message saying: “Thank you for your payment to the SNP.”

Collymore, 44, added: “Done. No more Tories infiltrating the grand old party of working people anymore. Time to change.”

He later posted a photo of his cut-up Labour membership card - which has since been deleted -adding: “A facile gesture as the 67 Labour MPs aren’t really bothered. But they should be.

“I’ve marched, paid my subs money and voted every election for [Labour]. 67 MPs is frankly a disgrace.”

Collymore’s decision came not long after a ten-and-a-half hour debate on air strikes, with 397 MPs backing action and 223 opposed, a majority of 174.

In this tweet, since deleted, Collymore posted a photo of his cut-up Labour membership card. Picture: Twitter/StanCollymore

An anti-war amendment tabled by a coalition of SNP, Conservative and Labour MPs was defeated by 390 votes to 211.

In response to questions from followers about his decision to leave the Labour Party, Collymore replied: “I’ll support my local [Labour] party, it’s in my blood and a huge part of who I am.

“Can’t stress how 67 [Labour] MPs made me feel sick.”

He later added: “Troll me all you like. I’m sure you’ll all feel much safer in the next 5 years of terror alerts, homegrown radicalisation and tube bombs.”

Collymore has regularly offered an opinion on politics on his Twitter feed, and appeared to back Scottish independence in February 2014, telling a Yes voter: “Forge your own path, you’ve got the tools and the talent. Go for gold.”