LIBERAL Democrat MP John Burnett has described as 'laughable' a suggestion that he would be more at home sitting on the Tory benches.
The idea featured in a Westcountry Television programme on Tuesday which suggested some of his political views were close to the Conservatives and that the Tories had targeted him as a possible defector.
But Mr Burnett, the MP for West Devon and Torridge, denied he had ever been seriously approached to switch parties.
'There are some issues, particularly over the single currency, where I and other Liberal Democrat MPs have significant reservations but that does not make me a Tory.
'There is no way I would jump ship, the idea is laughable — loyalty means a lot to me and the suggestion that I would betray the trust of my constituents is ludicrous.
'I am a proud member of the Liberal Democrat Party and a very loyal supporter of Charles Kennedy whom I backed for the leadership.
'I have friends on the Conservative and the Labour benches at Westminster as well as in my own party.'
Mr Burnett said he often had his leg pulled by people saying he looked and sounded like an old-fashioned Conservative.
He said: 'It sometimes stretches as far as some Tory MPs joking and saying, come and join us. I can't help that — when I was in the Royal Marines we used to say you shouldn't join unless you have a sense of humour!'
Mr Burnett was last Friday confirmed by West Devon and Torridge Liberal Democrats as their choice to fight the seat at the next general election.
At a special meeting in Okehampton party members gave the 54-year-old former farmer and lawyer a unanimous vote in a secret ballot confirming him as their prospective parliamentary candidate.
Mr Burnett said: 'I am delighted to have the strong support of my constituency association. I shall continue to do my very best for everyone in West Devon and Torridge.'
l Liberal Democrat Party leader Charles Kennedy is to visit West Devon on Monday.
He will be at Tavistock College for a question and answer session with sixth formers.