Shropshire Star

Tory Sir Bill Cash and Ukip son William agree to disagree

There would have been a lively political debate around the dinner table at this Elizabethan manor house in Shropshire.

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Veteran Conservative candidate for Stone, Sir Bill Cash, his son and Ukip candidate for North Warwickshire, William, and former DJ and Ukip supporter, Mike Read, were all pictured together at Upton Cressett Hall.

Sir Bill and his son have clashed in previous months over their political alliances but now "agree to disagree" over the matter.

Former Radio One DJ Mike Read was also once the darling of the Conservative Party before defecting to Ukip.

The group assembled for an event to discuss the history of Upton Cressett Hall and Gardens.

The estate, now owned by William, opened its doors over the Easter Bank Holiday for talks, tours and poetry recitals.

Sir Bill gave a talk on Richard III and Upton Cressett, describing the role the Cressett family played in the Wars of the Roses.

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Mike Read, who is also a keen historian, gave a talk about the Templars Knights, William Marshall and their connection to the Cressett family.

Sir Bill said: "There were no political conversations whatsoever. It was purely a family occasion retelling the story of Richard III.

"I completely disagree with what Ukip is doing, taking away marginal seats from the Conservatives, which I've gone on record saying before.

"But it's always wise not to discuss politics with your family. My son and I never really discuss it because we simply don't agree with each other."

Sir Bill, who will be standing for the Stone seat during May's election, previously disassociated himself from his Ukip-supporting son, William, who is also the party's heritage spokesman and is standing in Warwickshire.

Read courted controversy last year when wrote a reggae song in support of Ukip, which some claimed was racist. It was withdrawn and the DJ apologised unreservedly to anyone it caused offence to.

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