British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak faced criticism on Wednesday as yet another Conservative lawmaker abandoned the party to join the main opposition Labour Party ahead of the upcoming general election.
In a dramatic turn of events just before the weekly prime minister’s questions, Natalie Elphicke made the decision to switch sides in the House of Commons and align herself with Keir Starmer’s Labour Party. Elphicke, who represents the Dover constituency in southern England, a hotspot for migrant crossings from France, voiced her discontent with Sunak’s leadership, branding the Conservative government as “weary and disorganized.”
Elphicke’s departure follows the recent exit of another Conservative lawmaker, Dan Poulter, who left the party citing concerns over the government’s handling of the National Health Service.
Elphicke’s defection came as a surprise, particularly given her previous affiliation with the right wing of the Conservative Party. Although she has previously been critical of Labour and Starmer, her dissatisfaction with the government’s approach to migrant crossings has intensified in recent times.
She lambasted Sunak’s administration for its failure to effectively secure the borders, particularly in dealing with migrant crossings and biosecurity issues.
Despite Sunak’s efforts to curb the number of migrant crossings, including controversial proposals to relocate asylum-seekers to Rwanda, the number of crossings remains alarmingly high, with over 8,000 recorded already this year.
Elphicke, who succeeded her then-husband Charlie in the Dover seat in 2019, has opted not to seek re-election in her constituency. However, she has pledged to support Labour in formulating housing policies.
Labour leader Keir Starmer warmly welcomed Elphicke to the party, alongside Chris Webb, the new Labour lawmaker for Blackpool South. Starmer reiterated his call for a general election, underscoring his belief that the Conservatives cannot continue under Sunak’s leadership.
The timing of the general election lies within Sunak’s discretion, with it mandated to take place by January. Sunak has indicated his expectation for it to be held in the latter half of 2024.
Elphicke’s defection may aid Labour in countering Conservative accusations during the election campaign regarding Brexit. In her statement, she stressed that Labour has embraced Brexit and its accompanying economic policies.
However, Elphicke’s move has not been without criticism from some within Labour, with the left-wing Momentum group questioning her alignment with Labour’s progressive values.