I'm sure Labour have worked out that letting Elphicke see out her days as an MP on the Labour bench will win them more than it loses them. But Starmer really isn't very good at politics is he. This really is fuel for the 'they're all the same as each other' crowd. The Tories are so absolutely ghastly and they have wreaked so much havoc over our society, public services and economy that none of them should be welcomed across the aisle. The GP last week was one thing but Elphicke is dreadful.
The argument being made is that most people are not politically engaged and will not see beyond the headline of "Tory defects to Labour over borders". I'm not sure about that. Elphicke is such an appalling person, and the very worst of the dregs of Tory MPs we have been forced to endure since 2019, that this may backfire on Labour. It does give the message that they are all the same and changing parties is as easy for them as changing their underwear.
It’s clearly a mitigation against a Sunak press led campaign against Labour being soft on immigration. Do not know much about this current defector, but she is not really the sort you would expect to go to Labour. When Reform is the home for right wing critics of Tory Immigration policies and actions.
It probably is. Hard to believe but the Elphickes are *really* nasty pieces of work. It was said that when he 'stepped-down' due to all that sexual assault 'unpleasantness' they told the local Tory association that she would be his replacement candidate - otherwise he would stand as an independent splitting the RW vote & losing the Tories the seat... I still can't quite get why Stamer's letting that loathsome piece of shyte sit with Labour. Perhaps he's waiting for one of her trademark 'well-thought-out' interventions so he can withdraw the whip. Anyhow the optics look terrible.
Yes, I think this is probably what they are thinking. Labour wants to win over many voters who were greatly at odds with it over Brexit and who may still not trust it on immigration (though quite why they would trust the Tories more is anyone’s guess). This is a big signal that those individuals are welcome however big the apparent differences were. Many of those differences appear wide because the Tories have pushed the Overton Window so far to the right. Labour may believe it can push that towards the centre in due course with voters rediscovering something of their more tolerant and rational sides. It’s very uncomfortable to have an ERG buffoon like Elle Thicko welcomed in this way, but it squarely tells her former colleagues that their time is well and truly up.
Oh dear, that famous representative of the common man, The Lord Houchen of High Leven, has slammed Rishi just days after appearing on stage with him: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-68983071 Conservatives fighting each other "like rats in a sack" won't win the BBC report him saying, as his Lordship gnaws wildly at the sack.
Fill the house full of independents, mega corp and the meme stream media they control would have no idea how to react as all their power would disappear in a moment, but yeah, totally pointless.
Like minded individuals would coalesce into informal groups, which would quickly gain rules and structure, give themselves names and leaders and we would quickly have an embryonic version of what we have today.......
Surely Mrs Elphicke's change of political thinking is no different from Sir Keir's who apparently was a Socialist at the time of the last election
It's quite exciting isn't it waiting to see what Keir will reinvent himself as next. he's a bit like David Bowie or Dr Who
This would happen but mega corp would not have say in what they say or do. Policies would more likely be positive and aimed at changing things rather than divisive and aimed at filling the pockets of party donors. MPs would be free to vote on whatever they want rather than follow the party line under threat of losing their whip etc. There are far more positives than negatives compared to what we have now. Any minority Government led by one of the current parties would be reigned in and would have to seriously rethink their stance on issues too. What we have now is not true democracy beyond the voting process, what we have now is corruption, lies, mind control through media and a veil. The Wizard of Oz has been shown for what he is, the curtain has been drawn for me and many others. Mega Corp runs all.
There’s some merit to your argument about how warped our political system is but what is Mega Corp? What do you imagine it is?
As said, she's a real charmer and remember they're working for us. Conservative defector to Labour ‘was bitter at not getting ministerial job’ Tory sources allege that Dover MP Natalie Elphicke crossed the floor because she was not given a post running housing policy
I see Sunak is now trying to scare everybody into voting him. Dangerous times of dramatic change lie ahead and we are the only people who can get you safely through. In other words, I know you won’t vote for us because you don’t consider we are competent or decent or caring or inclusive or deserving of another chance, but if you don’t then you’re all doomed lol.
To be fair that's just a reversion to the Tories' normal line about the prospect of a Labour government. The trouble Sunak has this time is the tipping point has well and truly been passed where lot of people feel like they're doomed anyway so might as well roll the dice.
Michael Fabricant claims repugnant Natalie Elphicke wanted to let migrants drown and start a war with France. Claims these views are at odds with Labour, hilariously implying that are, therefore, fine for Tories. https://x.com/bestforbritain/status/1788930583571079425?s=46&t=oqOMSJXE_g7J5C7kNPG9LA
Interesting thread about the message being sent by Sunak’s choice of venue for his speech today. https://x.com/mrmarkethomas/status/1789988483999666581?s=46&t=oqOMSJXE_g7J5C7kNPG9LA
Not sure who's losing the plot the quickest, Starmer for taking a right win supporter and promoter of Truss. Someone who supported the Rwanda bill, campaigned with locals outside a Dover hotel and campaigned & lobbied her local council to close an asylum facility. It feels like his selling his (Dover) soul for a touch of cheap publicity. Or Sunak who has adopted the Brexit line of fear them to submission, before the sky's fall in on everyone. Of course he will get column inches in the express and mail, which will panic the grey voters into turning out in numbers. Both seem to be entering squeaky bum time and both seem to be kacking their pants.
I don’t see that Starmer is ‘kacking (cacking?) his pants.’ I think a bigger danger is hubris, being so over-confident he imagines any trick will work. It may be unwise to pull another Elphicke type stunt.
Well, this ‘grey voter’ is still mildly panicking so will ensure he’s out there voting against the ‘we’re all in it together, and you’re involved to make the select few richer’ mob.
Sunak expects the electorate to vote Tory based on their defence policies, when they have put the son of a KGB colonel in the HoL and spent the best part of 15 years defunding the military?
That's right, the right-wingers who supported Truss and the Rwanda bill should stay in the Tory party where all the shy Tories can quietly vote for them. Funny how their dreadful views and awful personalities get a totally free pass when they are Conservatives but suddenly become an issue when they're in the Labour party.
So you opposed her views when she was a Tory But now don't because she's joined Labour? Her views haven't changed, her values haven't changed. For me Starmer is foolish at best for taking her on. He now has needless rumblings of discontentment in his back benches, a small distraction that the Tory's will play on for weeks.
Did you oppose her views? Because there are plenty like her who remain in the Tory Party, so fill your boots.
