Eric Pickles has thanked fellow Tory politician Nadine Dorries for encouraging Liberal Democrats to vote for a Conservative.
The Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government took the opportunity to comment on the Mid Bedfordshire MP's appearance on ITV's I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here in his fortnightly column for the Brentwood Gazette newspaper.
Writing for the Gazette, published tomorrow (Wednesday, November 14) The Brentwood and Ongar MP said: "I have this week found myself being interviewed about a subject I never thought would cross my path: the ITV programme I'm A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here.
"The Member of Parliament for Mid Bedfordshire, Nadine Dorries, has chosen to leave her constituency and constituents for several weeks, and spend time in the jungle with Ant and Dec.
"It's an interesting decision to have made, and has resulted in the Conservative whip being withdrawn from Ms Dorries.
"As I have said on a number of occasions this week, I will obviously miss her and will have to struggle on bravely without her.
"I will watch the programme when time allows, and have her voting number on speed dial to ensure she is able to appreciate all the challenges which lie ahead for her, be they culinary or bug-related.
"However, my greatest pleasure from this whole episode is to read on Twitter that so many Liberal Democrats have seen the light, and are finally voting for a Tory on a regular basis. Long may it continue."
Mr Pickles' comments follow his own brief appearance on the popular BBC comedy quiz Have I Got News for You on Friday, where he told viewers he would be "calling in religiously to keep her there".
