The oldest Tory think tank has descended into open warfare after its chairman said Conservative supporters should vote UKIP where the Tories can’t win. Earlier today Ben Harris-Quinney told the Telegraph:

“Our preference at this election is a Conservative majority, but few in the Conservative Party will acknowledge the reality that this is now very unlikely to happen… We recognise the need to keep Ed Miliband out of Number 10, and the best way to do this is for Conservative voters to lend their votes to Ukip, who are best placed to beat Labour in many areas.”

He has a point…

This evening at CCHQ’s behest four patrons of the Bow Group have kicked back at Harris-Quinney. Michael Heseltine, Michael Howard, Norman Lamont and Nirj Deva MEP said in a punchy statement:

“As Patrons of the Bow Group we believe that this country’s best interests are served by voting Conservative in all situations. Ben Harris-Quinney does not speak for us or represent our views.”

Blue on Blukip!