FORMER Tory minister and Pendle MP John Lee today defected to the Liberal Democrats in a major boost to leader Charles Kennedy.

The veteran Conservative -- who has also chaired the Christie Hospital in Manchester, the North West's major cancer treatment centre -- branded the Tories as "the party of yesterday."

His decision to join the Lib Dems is a major boost both to David Whipp, the Lib Dem candidate in Pendle, and to Mike Carr who is seeking to regain the Ribble Valley seat he snatched from Tory Nigel Evans and held for 13 months after a by-election in 1991.

Mr Lee, who was MP for Nelson and Colne from 1979 to 1983 and for its successor Pendle constituency from 1983 to 1992 was a defence minister and then tourism minister.

He quit the government front bench because of the poll tax and defied Tory whips to vote against it in 1990. He lives in Manchester and works with the tourism industry.

Mr Lee, the tenth former Tory MP or peer to join the Lib Dems said: "I see the Conservative party as very much the party of yesterday. Charles Kennedy has come across with honesty and appeal during the current election campaign.

"With their compassionate and caring approach, united in their commitment to improve education, health and public services, I see the Liberal Democrats steadily developing into the main opposition to Labour, very much the party of the future. "Only the Liberal Democrats have demonstrated real character and determination, in particular on the issue of the single currency.

"I find myself at ease with their policies and attitudes and intend to give them my support now and in the future."

Mr Carr was delighted at the news saying: "I always thought that he was in the wrong party in the first place. This is a major boost for the Liberal Democrats and I shall be asking him to campaign for me in the Ribble Valley.

"This is a big plus not just for David Whipp, our candidate for Pendle, but for Liberal Democrats throughout the North West."

Mr Kennedy said: "John Lee is a much respected former Conservative minister. Many moderate former Conservative supporters are now seeking a reasonable alternative to Labour.

"I am convinced that more and more moderate Conservatives will reach the same conclusion as John Lee and support us on June 7."

Today Pendle Liberal Democrat candidate David Whipp described Mr Lee's defection as a "massive boost" to his party's campaign.

"The Tories are dead in the water and face complete meltdown. John Lee's high-profile is only the tip of the iceberg. Locally, many Conservative supporters are now turning to the Lib Dems.

He added: "We are now the clear challengers to Labour in Pendle and the Lib Dems are set to be the serious opposition to Labour in the next Parliament."

Ribble Valley Tory candidate Nigel Evans revealed Mr Lee's formal membership of the Tory Party lapsed some time ago.