Has Natalie Elphicke defection actually harmed Labour?

[@jonsteele7227]

Not an SNP voter but quite impressed with Mhairi Black. Very clear in her views and quite right that you are elected on a party platform and that is who you are answerable to

[@michaelrch]

She's awesome. Shame she is leaving parliament. But you can understand when she describes how sociopathic the institution is.

[@benwrong6855]

Yeah she would be a much better First minister than any of the current Scottish MSP/MP's

[@mildlydispleased3221]

You elect a person, not a party. If you don't research the candidates that's your choice. Starmer shouldn't have accepted her but we shouldn't bar members from crossing the floor.

[@keithparker1346]

@@mildlydispleased3221 I think we should or at least hold an election in the constituency...but i guess that would be too democratic

[@mildlydispleased3221]

@@keithparker1346 She's only going to be in parliament for a few more months.

[@goodmusicneverdies1998]

This says one thing about Starmers labour; they no longer stand for people on the left, it's really that simple! 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@alanhat5252]

...or people at all

[@janewright2800]

Sadly true

[@stuart3878]

"Left", defines nothing. There is an abundance of political dogma to choose from encompassed in the political "left and right" and thereby lies the UK's problem. Compromise is considered to be a crime, rather than that being the crime.

[@goodmusicneverdies1998]

@stuart3878 What are we supposed to "compromise" on 🤣 accepting far right loonys (who are clearly unfit to govern) into the Labour party? You either stand for something or nothing; being a fenchsitting centerist is the easiest option and relies entirely on the opinions of those with actual beliefs.. unless, of course.. you put your fingers in your ears and do absolutely nothing, ignoring those who depend on them to provide a substantial change while screaming loud all that same ol' nonsense your typical politician would spew.. only answering to and looking out for the interests of those who fund them..

[@valwaldron9522]

Mhairi is the most principled politician in WM. Sorry that we didn't achieve independence on her watch.

[@jimmymcdonald426]

😂😂😂

[@p-money33]

Poor decision making from Starmer. He could have got all the benefits of this from having Elphicke quitting the Tory whip and backing Starmer as an independent. Adding her to the party was nonsensical - there's zero gain and alot to lose

[@ascgazz]

She has no power… just an advisor.. to Rayner… I don’t think it makes the blindest bit of difference. Tell us how you believe she has *any* power in Labour, or SSSSHHHHHHHH?

[@rafezetter8003]

@@ascgazz You would think - but the reality is the electorate really are that stupid - Khan's recent re-election a case in point - he can't have got in JUST on the muslim votes, so non muslims must have still voted for him.

[@Glasgow_kiss]

@@ascgazz tell us how this benefits labour. already members are leaving in droves over gaza. power at any costs makes them no better than tories, which is quite apt as they are mimicking them anyway.

[@ascgazz]

@@Glasgow_kiss if Labour members were “leaving in droves” there’d be some evidence of it.. Do you have any evidence of “droves” leaving the party? Please share links or search terms. Looks like the party’s getting bigger to me..? Prove me wrong with stats. 👍

[@davidsbain4687]

@@ascgazz Labour has lost 170,000 members since 2018, plus another 23000 this year over Gaza. Total number just now is just over 366,000, maybe that is a drove.

[@hannahlou3406]

As much as I enjoy Mhairi in Westminster I'd love to see her as an MSP in Scottish parliament, I think she'd make an excellent first minister in the future.

[@michaelrch]

She's stepping down as an MP. She's had enough of politics.

[@SI-vb7hd]

Agreed, hopefully first minister of an independent Scotland some day.

[@janewright2800]

Love mhairi

[@Marstepolovsky]

Are you being humorous?

[@scottcook2643]

@@Marstepolovsky It's almost like people have different views and anyone with a double digit IQ can realise that. I'm sorry you can't differentiate between that and humour.

[@jackpayne4658]

If Labour have welcomed Elphicke, is there anyone at all who they would not accept? Rees-Mogg? Johnson? Or outside parliament, how about Nigel Farage or 'Tommy Robinson'?

[@Glasgow_kiss]

they draw the line at anyone left of braverman

[@pip1723]

Tories tears.

[@TheTomcantdecide]

Yeah anyone on the left

[@AG-el6vt]

Anyone? Yeah, anyone to the left of Richard Burgon.

[@roydini1]

I can't vote for a Labour party that welcomes someone like Natalie Elphicke and kicks out someone like Diane Abbott. It's disgraceful of Starmer to condone this and shows a massive failure of judgement on his behalf. It also shows just how far to the right the Labour Party has gone under his leadership. Big mistake Keir.

[@django3422]

It WOULD affect my decision to vote Labour, as it further demonstrates their intent to appeal to Tory voters. But it doesn't, because Starmer lost my vote when he wouldn't back the unions, cemented when he put his support behind Netenyahu.

[@andrewmaccallum2367]

Excellent as always Mhairi 👏👏👏 Saor Alba

[@fragglet]

Justine Greening must have been pretty naive if she seriously thought the tories were ever going to do anything serious to improve social mobility

[@michaelrch]

Self-serving self-deception

[@bassekaman8315]

Arrogant tbh

[@Gizo02]

I remember after the 2019 election, when she actually said that the Tories’ victory was more due to domestic issues as opposed to Brexit (‘Get Brexit Done’ being a powerful slogan). That was certainly a ‘bizarre’ take.

[@kubrenh8976]

Yeah wtf is she on

[@JupiterThunder]

She is one of the 21 Tory traitors.

[@andrewrobinson2565]

I didn't realise Mhairi was a permanent fixture on this programme. Fantastic !

[@Marstepolovsky]

Are you being sarcastic?

[@andrewrobinson2565]

@@Marstepolovsky +1 No. Not at all. She's a real person, not a waxwork.

[@Marstepolovsky]

@@andrewrobinson2565 😆😆😆😆 You are lol I get it. Funny stuff😆🤣😂

[@MrAa1192]

Mhairi Black ..on point .coming from a politician..huge change being on point

[@davidorr484]

I think this will help the SNP

[@benwrong6855]

Mhairi please save Scotland and be first minister... we need you!

[@jstewart4205]

She would still be SNP...the collective is the problem, not the individual.

[@turtlegeneral]

mhairi is brilliant ❤

[@starmersbarber]

A brilliant quartet for a debate. Excellent and thoughtful contribution by Justine and Mhairi. Cheers!

[@lindanairn2329]

It's so refreshing to have a debate without the SNP representative being talked over or shouted down. Thank you.

[@MrDesmondPot]

If it hasn’t then that’s a strong case for teaching civics in schools...which we should have been doing for decades. Hopelessly ignorant electorate.

[@saltydog584]

in the southern states of the US there were educational requirements to get the right to vote during the segregation era. I don't think we want to go back to that.

[@davidcooks2379]

We should also teach the history of religion and promote atheism in its context

[@johnmurray5573]

The faith and morals hold which Milton held

[@RealDareel]

The politicians are extremely ignorant too. Very few of them have any idea what they are voting on. That being the case you can’t blame the public for being the same.

[@Suspended4thYT]

Here in Scotland we have the Modern Studies syllabus (Democaracy in Scotland/UK, International politics & Govt, Social issues, Crime & the law, The Media etc). All kids get some of it in s1 and s2, but they are free to choose to study it going forward in s3/s4, or they can just drop it. I would make it compulsory for the full four years of mandatory High School. And the reason I mention it, is that I think voting rights should only be granted if you pass a basic test, based on some of the topics covered in the Modern Studies syllabus. Nothing too onerous, but some sort of multi-choice test, a bit like the driving test, that everyone must pass before they are allowed to vote. And if this was in place, maybe Priti Patel wouldn't have embarassed herself on question time, by arguing that bringing back the Death Penalty "would be a deterrent" 😬 Something every 16yr old kid sitting in a Modern Studies class knows is complete tosh!

[@julianshepherd2038]

What a sorry state Labour are in. If Keir Hardie were alive now he would expelled from Labour.

[@andrewrobinson2565]

Are you old enough to remember Keir Hardie, Julian ? 😮 Ellethick's arrival takes the Labour to the right of centre indeed... 😢.

[@andrewrobinson2565]

...gap fill exercise...🥳

[@Glasgow_kiss]

@@andrewrobinson2565 doesnt matter how you get there as long as you get there right?

[@davidcooks2379]

Na, he was antisemite too

[@andrewrobinson2565]

@@Glasgow_kiss Doesn't matter how you get there as long as you get there left. 👍

[@carlpierce2486]

Labour aren't red Tories - haven't you heard they are dropping the red....

[@nicksimmons7234]

Corbyn fan club member speaks.

[@user-eb3si]

Disappointed that Starmer welcomed with open arms. Opportunism over integrity is never a good look.

[@pcliff9473]

It absolutely should harm them. She’s basically Jacob Reece Mog without intrigue. This is not the Labour Party of old. It’s ran and owned by the same people who drove the tories (and the country) into a ditch.

[@benwrong6855]

Exactly, the Starmer mantra of the change the country needs is a joke

[@jstewart4205]

There is no need for a Labour party of old...we have all moved on from a weekly bath by the fire and dripping sandwiches for tea. I will say one thing about the Labour of old...the knew what a woman was!

[@aclark903]

@@jstewart4205But that’s the whole point. When a supposedly progressive party actually starts becoming regressive, as Labour has, that’s the time to stop voting for it.

[@randomclick2826]

It hurts the entire nations confidence in our democracy. It makes both parties look totally without principle.

[@jackdubz4247]

MPs have been defecting from one party to another forever. Let's not pretend that this isn't a common occurrence.

[@jstewart4205]

Only one party had a choice!

[@patcampton7163]

I think that is a very good point.

[@AaronNGray]

Elphicke is an example of how to keep your job. The level of incompatibility is unbelievable !

[@001tgc]

Anyone voting for Labour must now be clear that they’re voting for a continuation and Tory lite policies. We urgently need electoral reform and proportional representation!

[@SworBeyE16]

Its the other way round. Since 2010 the Tories have been nothing but the continuation of New Labour

[@EBurns91]

Tory-Lite, yes. Continuation? God no. I'll take Labour any day over Conservatives.

[@dave710]

​@@EBurns91 You must be deranged. The tories ( in name only) are blairites, Labour are far left of them.

[@SworBeyE16]

@@EBurns91 You already have it. This is a Blairite government

[@stevebrooks9119]

You've no idea what Labour's policies are, do you...??

[@danremenyi1179]

Stamer should have simply said how delighted he was at seeing another embarrassment for Sunak but that there was no place for her in his party.

[@BarryRobertson-m5g]

Mhari Black will be a real loss to British politics. I'm not an SNP supporter in any way but can't help but be impressed with her each time she steps up. Hopefully she'll continue in Scottish politics somehow. I don't really understands why people are surprised that Labour have returned to a more central role. Thats how Tony Blair and co got the Labour Party elected in 97. He was prominently nicknamed Tory Blair up here.

[@jamonit7169]

I agree she was very clear on what's expected of the elected representative of a political party. She's an ideologue so it's no surprise that's what her views are, she's an expert on politics but very little else. She "applauded" Lee Anderson for his move but that would show him in a favourable light so she had to add she found his views horrific...

[@GeorgeKeever]

I'm a lifelong socialist and labour voter but I am finding it increasingly difficult to see me voting for Starmer, his move towards the centre is going to far for me.

[@jstewart4205]

With socialism it is against the rules for anyone to be skint...they just always are!

[@patcampton7163]

Centre left I could cope with, but right wing, no.

[@robertallen591]

she is not the centre its right of farage

[@Matthew-bu7fg]

The SNP must be cock-a-hoop. After so much turmoil, this is the best possible news they could have as this really does start to draw parallels between Conservatives/Labour.

[@gigabyte2573]

It shows Starmers true colours !

[@gwh3013]

Aye.. Blue

[@jstewart4205]

He's all the colours of the rainbow...and then some!

[@kevinedward6132]

Starmer just proved once and for all his Labour is just Tory Red

[@taykitrleevitt4314]

The process was a token gesture... he'll give her the elbow once the election is announced.

[@johnmurray5573]

That's how one gets elected

[@SworBeyE16]

The Tories are the continuation of New Labour. Starmer is a Pabloite

[@Bertrum123]

No mate thats reform Everyone of them is ex tory even farage lol he tried five times to be a tory mp and one time one of the comedians dressed in a dolphin suit got more votes .so he started a couple of his own .

[@davidhodgson3901]

He isn’t. He’s absolutely ruthless but it’s a means to an end.

[@angelanorton5975]

Smacks of rats leaving a sinking ship and saving their own skins/jobs! But also demonstrates that a right wing politician feels comfortable in Starmers Labour party. Having waited years for labour to be in this position I now find I can't (and won't) vote for them as they just are not for the people anymore.

[@Newsopathy-gf2ug]

Mhairi Black hammers the nail on the head. You can understand an MP like Lee Anderson complaining that the Conservatives have moved to the left, but not him. Galloway who was already left wing did the same with labour. All very respectable. But Greening and Elphicke - no logical reason to jump ship in the directions they claimed, just sheer self interest. Transparent and pathetic. People will have to make their own minds up as to how Labour looks.

[@tatata1543]

Starmer has a habit of dropping a bollock every now and then. I hope that doesn’t come back to bite them in the GE campaign. They may want to consider hiding him in a fridge.

[@chrishickey2245]

Maybe they could start now.🙄

[@Gary-le7dz]

Yes opinion polls SINCE weds have shown labour increasing there huge poll lead …. So obviously not

[@RealDareel]

If Starmer thinks this won’t hurt him in Scotland (where I’ve never met a single person who likes him) he’s delusional

[@stevebrooks9119]

Polls currently predict Labour to take 25-30 seats off the SNP at the next GE...

[@PorthLlwyd]

​@@stevebrooks9119 That's the stupid electoral system for you.

[@RealDareel]

@@stevebrooks9119 I know that. It would take an SNP recovery but it doesn’t feel to me like thats impossible. The SNP will hammer Labour for their support of Israel and for being Red Tories.

[@enawilson3210]

Stammer lost Scotland with stance on GAZA

[@akink9620]

it's a set up

[@wjumeau]

Has it harmed Labour? 🤣🤣🤣🤣 It has shown politics to be the sham for what it really is…. One party…. All in it for themselves…..

[@bilgan509]

Absolutely shouts out that there is very little if any difference between Labour and the Conservatives. Message received loud and clear.

[@TheTamilian]

Absolutely has harmed Labour. It worries me that Starmer thinks she might he an asset. We dont need or want these kinds in the Labour government. It makes me wonder if Labour are polici-less because they are still Tory lite. I was hoping that the lack of policy announcements is because they will introduce some progressive, and social-ish policies . I now think it will be more of the same. A sad state of affairs.

[@jstewart4205]

"these kind"?

[@TheStarsInHisHead]

There's no way I can vote for Labour now, in good conscience.

[@michaelrch]

Join the rapidly growing movement of Green and independent voters., Check out "We Deserve Better"

[@jackdubz4247]

Like you have ever voted for them before.

[@TheStarsInHisHead]

@@jackdubz4247 Every general and local election since moving to the UK in 1994. Sorry if that doesn't suit your narrative

[@juliankaye8143]

It shows how much of a Tory Starmer is.

[@seanoconnor8843]

I'll tell you something. Those two girls are the outstanding politicians of our time. I doubt there are many better statesmanlike people in the world. I'm not kidding. They are quite special

[@BryanPardoe]

Just shows what bs it all is.

[@dazp6002]

Shes a vote loser for Labour 😂 Reform didn't want her 🤣

[@danielbentham758]

You don’t seriously think Reform turned her down do you? 😂

[@grahamhireme9283]

She was too right wing for BRefomP and 30p couldn’t be arsed trying to pronounce her name let alone spell it . A day in politics, indeed! Mhairi Black should be leading the SNP

[@pip1723]

As I suspected the reform party are just Tories with Anderson defecting to them .

[@federicoprice2687]

Why? Can you justify that? Have looked closely at the pros and cons? Tory one down, Labour one up, good, but that's the least of it. Elphicke isn't going to be an MP after the election, she's not up for a Peerage, and she's voted with her feet based on her conscience. But the advantage of her defection to Starmer is huge, and despite the Tory shills pointing fingers at zlabour, the damage to the CONs is immense. So as a FORMER lifetime Tory voter, now a fully paid up member of the Labour party, and campaigner, I think that the party was right to accept her. Note that it wasn't solely Starmer's decision, the party leadership vote on such matters. And as a matter of principle, why should anyone be prevented from changing their mind?

[@jasoncooper9391]

Reform party Tories in disguise

[@judithmatthews8460]

I lived in a red light district the women who stood on the streets were at least honest about what they were selling. Not Tory MPs apparently

[@tarentarhu5590]

It has harmed Starmer so much, they are 30 points ahead in the polls.

[@jackdubz4247]

Shush! The MSM have to find something to make this "interesting".

[@Scraggless]

If thats your takeaway then you're missing the point

[@stevebrooks9119]

@@Scraggless If you don't understand it's value to Labour, then you've already missed it...

[@Scraggless]

@@stevebrooks9119 it Could win the election for the next 3000 years it wouldn't make a difference or change the fact that by doing this you're literally publically saying 'yeah, I know this has always been obvious but this isn't about ideology its about tribal affiliation'. Does that make sense to you, or would you like me to draw you a diagram? Zzzzz

[@JK192837]

@@Scraggless Except, ideology alone doesn't achieve anything. It's no use being a pure moral virtuous ideologist if you never actually affect any change in the world. For all the good you do, you might as well have no ideology at all. In a democracy, and especially one with FPTP, you either have to compromise and only achieve, say, 50% of your goals, or you achieve 0%. There is no 100% option (that would be a dictatorship).

[@cragmc8386]

She supported Liz Truss. That says enough for me. Truss was a f'ing chocolate teapot and should be (but isn't) hiding under a rock or have been chased out of politics entirely. Reallllly bad choice. Obviously trying to appeal to tory voters hoping they'll also defect. I"d have said sorry Elphicke, your name's not down, you're not getting in

[@Lincolnshire-Paranormal]

Why is there not a pundit calling her out as a prospective spy ?

[@spartacusforlife1508]

You have a Labour base not really excited by Starmers Labour party, many of them considering it red conservative. Now they accept Elphicke?

[@alexmiller7721]

Labour and the Tories should merge. There's no difference between the two now.

[@deanjames2476]

Just shows that using the phrase 'the honorable member ' is an insult to everyone there is know honor in politics

[@NOURINHO-rv5fk]

I don’t even understand when she knows that she will be losing she jumps that Titanic sinking in the British isle.

[@kevintipcorn6787]

Figures the only one talking sense is the one quitting Parliament.

[@adamree30]

I think Starmers inability to recognise collective punishment tells you all you need to know. Power corrupts.

[@kevinhay3778]

Baristers will always take whatever makes the jury confused.

[@wakingstate9]

Why does it matter to anyone? Does any low paid, poor British person who has lived through 2 labour and 2 conservative governments really think there is any difference between the two? We should just vote those who are in power out of power, whatever their party is called.

[@rajdevarapalli4346]

The truth about the labour leadership will allow people to create a party which works for them

[@Gert-DK]

Here, we are a little worried about the state, of our former colony.

[@johnw574]

Workers Party of Britain is the only alternative ✊

[@monsieurhercule]

Starmer's party is the Surrogate Tories .

[@pip1723]

How ?

[@jasoncooper9391]

Tories are finished 😂😂😂😂😂

[@federicoprice2687]

Please justify that ridiculous statement. We'll wait.

[@jasoncooper9391]

@@federicoprice2687 Tories are finished and there be more moving to the Labour Party 👍

[@monsieurhercule]

@@federicoprice2687 Surrogate Tory caretaker government backed by Murdoch to continue core Tory policy while the Tory brand is revamped and refreshed for the next cycle.

[@johnh6524]

Is Elphicke standing as a Labour MP? No! She will not be standing against a Labour candidate in the next election. She is in parliament now and is accepting the Labour whip - where is the problem? Would it be better if 30p Lee had another Reform colleague? I think not. As for the SNP, is that devoid of right-of-centre nationalists? I don't think so.

[@robbie9629]

It's a matter of principle, Starmer is showing he's happy to have people in his party who advocates drowning other people in The English Channel.

[@andrewrobinson2565]

This is the first time I've seen the two blokes in one room - separated at birth or what? 😮

[@andrewmaccallum2367]

It's like Tom Hardy playing both the Kray twins in 'Legend' Without the violence, obvs 😁

[@andrewrobinson2565]

@@andrewmaccallum2367 lol 👍+1. I havnae worked oot which one is Mr. Hyde tho' 🤔. Oor Mhairi cud sort they both oot sure 'nuff, ye ken 😀👍.

[@andrewmaccallum2367]

@@andrewrobinson2565 😁 👍

[@MrAa1192]

Finally you see no party is better than the other .. shine your eyes..

[@MrAa1192]

You can switch to high heaven ..no difference

[@applepye87]

A really respectful discussion on all sides.

[@StratsRUs]

Can't really criticise Tories, since a Far Right Tory is now in Labour, with no vetting.

[@lamontrouse8780]

This was a great dialogue. Thank you.

[@dracobyronwaynericci]

Don't ask him that the Military Police barely restrained him last time.

[@heyasasha]

09:16 honest and sharp as a tack!

[@chrishewitson7135]

If any more Tories go over to Labour, there'll be enough of them to influence Labour to vote for Tory policies.

[@alanhat5252]

Starmer has been adopting Tory policies all along.

[@grahamfleming8139]

The junta. Never changes.

[@ffotograffydd]

Latest polling from today shows Labour 2 points up. So no, the defection hasn’t harmed them.

[@patcampton7163]

It's early days.

[@patcampton7163]

She is right about 30p.

[@TheLucanicLord]

If she cares about social mobility she joined the wrong party. Unless she means her own.

[@hywelmorris1778]

I really do believe that Sir Kier has got this one wrong. He should have pointed her towards Reform who would have been welcome to her.

[@davidhodgson3901]

I deliver the leaflets and knock on the doors. Apart from embarrassing Sunak, it’s pretty much irrelevant. Although she’s a highly disagreeable person, Elphicke isn’t standing in the election and will only comment on housing matters. If she was standing, she wouldn’t have been allowed to jump to Labour. This is politics. Labour needs millions of people who voted Conservative in 2019 to switch to Labour. And yes, Starmer is absolutely ruthless and laser-focused on winning. And that’s a good thing. For now 😉

[@garethmartin6522]

He's not focused on winning, or else he would present bolder policies. He's focused on neoliberal continuity.

[@kevinhay3778]

The state has taken over the workers. The cinder path 🤔🤔🤔🤔

[@hecter3008]

Who has trashed this country over the last 14 years

[@alanhat5252]

...with an amazing amount of support from Labour in the last 5 years

[@hecter3008]

@@alanhat5252 they are both useless and fucked this country over the last 40 years

[@BethellAthletico]

I've previously voted Labour to get the Tories out. Now I can't vote for Labour as they are keeping those same Tories in.

[@marcoose777]

If I was a Labour voter from Dover then I'd be seriously considering a vote for the Green Party... But, I already vote for the Green Party, shame.

[@Peter-q8v6v]

In short: you're a green voter. Thanks for the life story though.

[@colinhutchinson5282]

ANY mp that reaches a point they can no longer support the party they were elected for should resign after explaining and apologising to their constituents directly.

[@RichardFraser-y9t]

Starmer should have talked up the fact she wont be sitting again, but then if he had he wouldnt have been Starmer.

[@lionelhinge573]

Bring on Proportional representation

[@jstewart4205]

Only losers ever want to change the rules.

[@PorthLlwyd]

PR is greatly needed to stop these rolling dictatorships that don't have the majority of the public on their side

[@alanhat5252]

Both Starmer's Labor & Torys oppose PR, #VoteGreen

[@BowtiesAreC00l]

Not really because the electorate aren't (a) bothered, or (b) listening to the Tories any more. And if anybody allows themselves to be sidetracked by this side-show, then say hello to 5 more years of the Tories in power. Think about that.

[@Judgementday-qp1ol]

Any Party that still supports a Monarchy in 2024 tells you what they are.

[@Da1Dez]

Definetly not voting Labour in this election!

[@sandraowens4547]

Is that why shes done it is it a ploy to cause trouble in the LP be very aware? Last thing LP need is unrest at thus moment in time?

[@citizen530]

Let's not forget that Lee Anderson used to be Labour.

[@simpaticaism]

Enjoyed this debate , thank you 🙏

[@dracobyronwaynericci]

But he hits them does he not understand he is about to get into a plantery battle with his own family for being forgetful.

[@jezzat3778]

No and it’s that simple

[@hanselmansell7555]

Yes. Next.....

[@simonfive713]

I'm outside the Westminster bubble and I thought it was great. Rishi was proper rattled.

[@catherinehanner284]

Rolling back on policies. Gaza. Now accepting an extremist rightwing headbanger. Starmers judgement is seriously in question. Fast becoming a political millstone around labour's neck.

[@stevebrooks9119]

Yet Labour 30% points ahead of the Tories in today's YouGov poll. If only Labour's last leader could have been such a millstone...

[@catherinehanner284]

@@stevebrooks9119 despite starmer not because of him. Andy Burnham is leader we need.

[@jstewart4205]

@@catherinehanner284 Body bag Burnham? Have you lefties no memory?

[@dracobyronwaynericci]

James-The Royal House and Judge of those killed in the Temple Courts.

[@dracobyronwaynericci]

Simon-The Judge of Deceit

[@davidclark1545]

Best cunning plan the Tories have had in a long time, getting her to defect….

[@Fenman-cz8yk]

This leads you to think Elphicke may have other allegiances that are shared by Labour - does she belong to the Conservative Friends of Israel for instance - as most of the Labour front bench does?

[@davidorr484]

Glad im voting Green

[@pip1723]

Our local greens got into bed with the Tories to form the council ...

[@eyup121]

Do they really differ much from Starmer's Labour though. After all Starmer is red-green.

[@jonathanfell688]

She will only be in place for a few months. If it damages the Government, demoralised the Tory membership, then all well and good.

[@csharpe5787]

It was a political stunt that cost Starma dearly!

[@brianjupp1748]

As a Labour member, my principle is to win the next election for the good of the people of this country I'm fed up to the back teeth of Labour losing because of "principle" This was a huge win on the day Kier hit Sunak for six a home run a winning penalty at PMQ's and then a day or two of news headlines of another tory defecting to Labour Only the Westminster bubble will dig deeper and care

[@alanhat5252]

Starmer's treason doesn't bother you? His Israel-supporting purges distorting the Party into something Kier Hardy wouldn't recognize? His adoption of Tory policies starting with their "fiscal rules" which pretty much guarantee yet more "Austerity" (& another million deaths)?

[@alanhat5252]

"for the good of the people of this country" is _not_ keir Starmer's Labour, people will only be voting Labour because Torys are even more dangerous & because the propaganda convinces people there are only 2 parties.