Canterbury MP Rosie Duffield expressed some head-scratching over Tory MP Natalie Elphicke jumping ship to Labour. She described it as "really peculiar," echoing the sentiments of many of her fellow Labour MPs.
In a surprising twist, Sir Keir Starmer, Labour's leader, welcomed Elphicke with open arms, calling her defection "the party of the national interest." This move sparked varied reactions within the Labour ranks, ranging from bewilderment to outright anger.
Elphicke's decision to switch sides wasn't without controversy. She had criticized Labour policies in the past, especially on taxation and immigration, making some Labour MPs wary of her intentions. Additionally, her previous comments defending her ex-husband's sexual assault conviction didn't sit well with many.
Despite these concerns, Elphicke's move wasn't entirely unexpected, given recent defections from the Tories. Rishi Sunak and Dr. Dan Poulter had also jumped ship recently, adding to the political drama.
While some Labour members saw Elphicke's move as a strategic coup, others felt it was opportunistic and lacked alignment with Labour values. Mish Rahman, a member of Labour's National Executive Committee, criticized the move, describing it as "grubby" and not reflective of Labour's principles.
Meanwhile, Conservative MPs expressed surprise and disappointment at Elphicke's defection, labeling her an opportunist. Transport Minister Huw Merriman called her actions "shameless," reflecting the frustration felt within the Tory camp.
Overall, Elphicke's move stirred up a whirlwind of emotions and opinions within both Labour and the Conservative parties, highlighting the complexities of political allegiances and the shifting landscape of British politics.
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