Labour councillor defects to Tories before returning 24 hours later: 'It was the most stupid 24 hours of my life'

He later apologised, admitting it was 'the most stupid 24 hours of my life'

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A Labour councillor has defected to the Conservatives for 24 hours before defecting back, describing the move as “the most stupid 24 hours of my life”.

Matthew Courtliff, who sits on the Swindon Council, made the shock switch on Tuesday, The Swindon Advertiser reports. After completing the paperwork to officially join the Conservative party, he released a statement in which he criticised Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and the party’s direction under him.

His move was welcomed by his new Conservatiev colleagues and local Labour councillors denounced his decision as reflecting “the worst about politics”.

However, Cllr Courtliff reportedly performed a further defection, making a dramatic u-turn to return to the Labour fold within 24 hours. The following morning, he declared he had made “a terrible mistake” and admitted his move was “the most stupid 24 hours of my life”.

His Labour colleagues appear to have welcomed him back, with The Swindon Advertiser reporting the Swindon Labour Group has confirmed he can return to represent the party.

A recent poll has suggested the Conservatives now enjoy an 18 point lead over Labour. If a general election were held today, the party would win with 47 per cent of the vote- giving a majority of over 200 seats. It is the party’s biggest lead for years.

Prime Minister Theresa May has ruled out calling for an election, despite currently only a slim majority in the House of Commons, saying she will not hold one before 2020.