Croydon Conservatives have welcomed a Loony to their ranks this week.

John Cartwright, known as John Loony, changed his allegiances to the Conservative Party this week after 17 years at the Monster Raving Loony Party.

On Tuesday, the Croydon Conservatives tweeted: “It is with great pleasure that we welcome John Loony, latterly of the Official Monster Raving Loony Party (OMRLP) to the conservatives in Croydon.”

Mr Cartwright, who received 110 votes in the recent Croydon North by-election when he stood for the Monster Raving Loony Party, joined the Monster Raving Loony Party in 1996 after a spell with the Chocolate Fudge Cake Party.

On his website, Mr Cartwright describes himself as a glorious, brilliant and charismatic politician.

Mr Cartwright said he left the party as he realised he wasn’t a floating voter anymore.

He said: “I have gradually realised that I am no longer a floating voter, and have reached a settled view that the future of this country can be best managed by the Conservative Party, if necessary, in coalition and co-operation with other parties.

“I have been a supporter of the Coalition at the national level of government since it was formed in 2010, and I support the efforts which both Coalition parties have done to stabilise and recover the economy and protect civil liberties.

“Most importantly, I have come to realise that Labour governments always ruin the economy and mess up everything.”

He added: “I have enjoyed being in the OMRLP since 1996 and I wish them well in continuing to entertain and enlighten the masses in their own way.”

The former Trinity School pupil and Royal Holloway graduate was welcomed into the Conservative Party by Croydon Central MP Gavin Barwell.

Mr Barwell said: “John‘s passion for Croydon has been evident for years.

“I’ve long said to him that he should get involved in one of the main parties and I’m delighted that he has chosen the Conservatives.”

Mr Cartwright is unlikely to suggest any Monster Raving Loony party policies are adopted by the Tories.

They include saving fuel costs for motorists by a bungy rope being attached to all vehicles making a journey and instructing the RSPCA to ensure that all meerkats come in twos to enable the public to effectively compare the meerkat.