Another Tory MP defects to Labour!

Cossy

Germanshepherdsmum

She’s just doing it for effect, won’t be standing at GE.

Yes, I think this might also be true.

It’s certainly had the desired effect if that was her goal, it’s headline news on all three UK main news channels.

Good point Chocolatelovingran. It appears that the moral bar for Labour is set higher than for Conservatives.

LizzieDrip

I think the fact that neither of the defectors will be standing at the next GE was important in KS’s decision making here. Perhaps, if either had been intending to stand (particularly Elphick) there might have been a different outcome. As things stand, it’s all politicking! That said, if KS had turned them away, I dare say some would accuse him of being ‘holier than thou’. Tories are masters at playing the politics game; Labour has to do the same … whether we like it or not.

I completely agree, but still hate this whole political game every party now plays!

Germanshepherdsmum

She’s just doing it for effect, won’t be standing at GE.

Yes, I think this might also be true.

I think the fact that neither of the defectors will be standing at the next GE was important in KS’s decision making here. Perhaps, if either had been intending to stand (particularly Elphick) there might have been a different outcome. As things stand, it’s all politicking! That said, if KS had turned them away, I dare say some would accuse him of being ‘holier than thou’. Tories are masters at playing the politics game; Labour has to do the same … whether we like it or not.

Chocolatelovinggran

She seems a deeply unpleasant woman. However, I notice that opprobrium seems reserved for the Labour Party in accepting her. None has been levelled at the Conservative Party,local and national,who chose her as their candidate and supported her campaign.
She does not bring " a moral compass "to either side of the house and it is good that she is standing down soon.

That’s what I thought too - seems she was good enough to be a Tory MP.

She seems a deeply unpleasant woman. However, I notice that opprobrium seems reserved for the Labour Party in accepting her. None has been levelled at the Conservative Party,local and national,who chose her as their candidate and supported her campaign.
She does not bring " a moral compass "to either side of the house and it is good that she is standing down soon.

Yes, know it is political theatre, but honestly there is a limit!

She’s just doing it for effect, won’t be standing at GE.

I agree with you Cossy.

His 'effusive welcome' was just part of the political theatre that is PMQs; an opportunity to embarrass Sunak still further after the tory's poor showing in the local elections.

She’s not a “nice” person, but if someone as unpleasant as her is wanting to “show up” Sunak, what does that say about how other Tories with a moral compass are feeling?

I’m not surprised Starmer welcomed them both with open arms, he’s playing the political game and as both seem to not be standing at the next GE, he is simply using the current situation to Labour’s advantage.

I don’t like the way we “play politics” now, but I guess that’s how it is.

It doesn’t say much for Starmer’s judgement.

Yes, Whitewavemark2, she doesn’t seem like someone Starmer should welcome according to this quote from Momentum reported by the BBC.
In a post on X it says: "Natalie Elphicke has consistently demonised refugees and aid groups. She voted against Labour proposals to outlaw fire and rehire, while supporting a wide array of destructive and damaging Tory legislation

GrannyGravy13

Mr. Starmer has made an effusive statement welcoming Ms Elphick to the Labour Party.

This is a real mistake.

Elphicke was found guilty of trying to influence the judge at her husbands trial. she publicly ridiculed the victims if her husband.

She was very, very unpleasant about Marcus Rashford.

A nasty piece of work.

Mr. Starmer has made an effusive statement welcoming Ms Elphick to the Labour Party.

This feels to me like the beginnings of the multiple ministerial resignations that finally did for Johnson. It's just MPs who are resigning, instead.

I'm not particularly happy about Labour accepting either of the recent defections, but neither are standing for re-election so Labour won't have to put up with them for long.

Tory majority is now 38, apparently... so diminished by more than 50% since 2019.

Typo not excepting should read accepting.

Whitewavemark2

She is not someone who the Labour Party should welcome - whatever the point they are trying to make.

She has a very poor moral compass.

Seems Starmer has a very poor moral compass as well then excepting her but hey ho we knew that didn't we.

She is not someone who the Labour Party should welcome - whatever the point they are trying to make.

She has a very poor moral compass.

I was surprised that Labour accepted her, however I expect they are making a point too

I agree Grandmabatty. I suppose it was too good an offer to refuse - particularly as she’s standing down anyway.

Lizziedrip just what I was thinking!

It really is only matter of time now. I just wish he's get on with it.

I was surprised that Labour accepted her, however I expect they are making a point too.