A second Conservative Party member has shifted loyalties to the UK Labour Party, slamming Rishi Sunak’s leadership as inept and disorderly. The Labour Party is currently leading in public opinion polls by roughly 20 points ahead of the forthcoming national election, which is a blow to the Conservatives who suffered significant losses in the recent local elections.
Natalie Elphicke, representing the Dover constituency on England’s south coast, made the political shift just prior to Sunak’s scheduled appearance for parliamentary questioning. She publicly derided the Conservatives for their perceived weakness and discord under Sunak’s control.
Elphicke is now the third Conservative legislator to jump ship to Labour since the 2019 elections. Even Dan Poulter, a former health minister, switched allegiances to Labour last month after expressing his discontent with the government’s stance on NHS, which is among Sunak’s top five national priorities.
As a previous finance lawyer, Elphicke had won her parliamentary position following her husband’s compelled withdrawal after being convicted of sexual assault. Even though she had previously endorsed the Conservatives’ approach to reducing illegal migration and is perceived as right-leaning, Elphicke accused Sunak of neglecting the centrality of British politics.
Elphicke commented that Sunak’s rule was marred by unfulfilled promises, unsuccessful attempts to check the influx of asylum seekers along the English Channel, lack of adequate housing and a mounting homelessness crisis. Her words echoed the sentiment that fresh elections are much needed and that the Sunak’s inefficient and muddled government days are numbered.
Since news broke of the political conversion, Sunak’s spokesperson stated that the prime minister was focusing on matters of public priority from the economy, immigration, to the NHS.
Meanwhile, Keir Starmer, leader of the Labour Party, welcomed Elphicke’s defection and in parliament questioned the reason for the continuation of the failing government.
Labour has been engaging in discussions with Ms Elphicke regarding a potential defection for quite a while, according to a representative for Mr Starmer. They confirmed that while Ms Elphicke won’t be representing Labour in the forthcoming election, there’s a possibility she may be entrusted with a role within the party, specifically in the formation of housing policy. This information was reported by Reuters and is protected under Thomson Reuters’ copyright, 2024.