Labour defends welcoming rightwing Tory MP Natalie Elphicke into party – UK politics live
Dover MP hit out at ‘broken promises of Rishi Sunak’s tired and chaotic government’ as she defected to Labour moments before PMQs
Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox
Get our free View from Westminster email
Ms Elphicke has defected hitting out at the “broken promises of Rishi Sunak’s tired and chaotic Government”.
The Dover MP astonishingly crossed the floor in the Commons just moments before Prime Minister’s Questions.
She said in a statement: “I have carefully considered this decision. The change has been dramatic and cannot be ignored.
“For me key deciding factors have been housing and the safety and security of our borders.”
The move has been hit at from all sides, with MPs slamming Sir Keir Starmer for welcoming the right wing politician with open arms and Tory members branding the decision “idiotic”.
Despite ferocious criticism, Labour has defended Ms Elphicke and said it is “happy” to have the Tory MP on board.
In a new humiliating blow for Rishi, Ms Elphickle joins Dr Dan Poulter and Christian Wakeford in joining the opposition.
The walk-out was took place during the first face off since last week’s local election results, where Sir Keir Starmer hit out at the Conservatives for losing nearly 500 council seats in last week’s elections.
James Cleverly announces new sanctions against Russia
The Foreign Secretary has unveiled new measures against Russia after five people were charged under the provisions of the National Security Act.
The men were accused of plotting an arson attack at a commercial property in London.
He said that the incident was part of “a pattern of suspected Russian activity across Europe”.
Cleverly said: “Since the invasions the actions and threats from Russia have only increase. These activities are designed by Russia to bring the war [in Ukraine] home across Europe.”
Who is Natalie Elphicke - and why did she defect from Tories to Labour?
Tory MP Natalie Elphicke has defected from the party to Labour, heavily criticising the prime minister and her former party.
The MP for Dover hit out at the “broken promises of Rishi Sunak’s tired and chaotic government” in a statement issued moments before Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday. She then crossed the floor in the Commons to sit on the Labour benches for the first time.
But who is she and why is she defecting?
Who is Natalie Elphicke - and why did she defect from Tories to Labour?
The Dover MP becomes the third Conservative to defect to the opposition
No 10 hits back at Natalie Elphicke after defection
No 10 has hit back at Natalie Elphicke after her defection from the Conservatives to Labour, Kate Devlin reports.
The prime minister’s press secretary said the Dover MP had to explain why she believes Labour hasnanplan given she has spent the last two years attacking their lack of a plan on small boats.
Northern Ireland Minister Steve Baker has jokingly hit out at Natalie Elphicke’s defection from the Tories.
Taking to social media, he said: “I have been searching in vain for a Conservative MP who thinks themself to the right of Natalie Elphicke.
“One just quipped: ‘I didn’t realise there was any room to her right.”
Starmer pictured with Elphicke after defection
Sir Keir Starmer has been pictured with Natalie Elphicke after the Tory MP defected to Labour in a major blow to Rishi Sunak ahead of PMQs.
The Labour leader was pictured with his newest recruit in front of a bookcase at an office in Westminster.
The pair were seen in front of a Union Jack flag after shortly after Ms Elphicke defected, hitting out at the “broken promises of Rishi Sunak’s tired and chaotic government”.
Even Labour MPs know you can’t trust Labour to stop the boats - Tory HQ
Conservative Party campaign headquarters has hit back at Natalie Elphicke’s defection to Labour, saying even Labour MPs know the party can’t be trusted to stop the boats.
The party tweeted an old article Ms Elphicke wrote for the Daily Express, in which she argued that Labour couldn’t be trusted to stop the boats.
Watch: Moment Tory MP Natalie Elphicke walks across Commons floor to join Labour minutes before PMQs
Moment Tory MP Natalie Elphicke walks across Commons floor to join Labour
This is the moment Tory MP Natalie Elphicke walks across the Commons floor to join the Labour party, just minutes before Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs) on Wednesday 8 May. The Dover MP crossed the floor in the Commons as she hit out at the “broken promises of Rishi Sunak’s tired and chaotic Government”. She said: “I have carefully considered this decision. The change has been dramatic and cannot be ignored.” At PMQs, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer asked Mr Sunak “what is the point of this failed Government staggering on” when “the Tory MP for Dover on the front line of small boats crisis says the Prime Minister cannot be trusted with our borders and joins Labour?”
Rosie Duffield: At least one woman from Kent got a meeting
Rosie Duffield has lashed out at Sir Keir Starmer for refusing to meet her, despite meeting defected Tory MP Natalie Elphicke at least twice, Archie Micthell reports.
The Labour leader has not spoken to Ms Duffield, who has suggested he has refused to meet her repeatedly.
But he has twice met with Ms Elphicke, a right-wing Conservative who has now joined the Labour ranks.
After the shock defection, Ms Duffield said: “Well, at least one woman from Kent got a meeting.”
She also joked that she was now no longer the only Labour MP in Kent.
Home Office to boot out Russian diplomat
James Cleverly is set to expel a Russian diplomat for spying.
The move is part of a major package of measures following the “reckless and dangerous activities of the Russian government across Europe”, he said.
These include:
- Expelling Russian defense attache and undeclared military intelligence officers.
- Removing diplomatic premises status from Russian properties.
- Imposing tougher restrictions on Russian diplomatic visas.
Watch: Sunak tells Starmer he can be ‘as cocky as he likes’ after Tory election defeats
Sunak tells Starmer he can be ‘as cocky as he likes’ after Tory election defeats
Rishi Sunak warned Sir Keir Starmer he can be “as cocky as he likes” after the local election results, but when it comes to a general election “it is policy that counts”. Mr Sunak reminded the Labour leader of Tony Blair’s famous words during Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday 8 May, after Sir Keir began the clash by welcoming Natalie Elphicke and Chris Webb to the Labour benches. Ms Elphicke has defected to Labour, hitting out at the “broken promises” of the government, while Mr Webb is the new Blackpool South MP after winning last week’s by-election. Despite a mauling from the electorate last week, Mr Sunak remained defiant during his clash with Sir Keir.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.