Tories ‘squirming’ as Labour tease Rishi Sunak with another defection at PMQs

"Tory MPs will be squirming, they'll be squeamish, at the very least."
"Now we're expecting weekly defections from the government benches, anything less is a failure for the Labour Party!"
A week after Natalie Elphicke crossed the floor, Labour teased the Conservatives with another potential defection as MPs entered the House of Commons for PMQs. Times Radio's senior political correspondent joins Matt Chorley to unpack the action as Labour leader Keir Starmer grills prime minister Rishi Sunak.
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[@simonfive713]

How much longer do we have to wait for the GE? Sunak and the Tories are finished and the longer this drags on, the angrier people are feeling

[@sol2746]

Nothing nicer than looking at the face of a tory who've lost an election.

[@temporary4384]

Rats leaving the tory ship

[@CatholicSatan]

All those Russian, Chinese and Iranian attacks _all_ happened under the Tories' watch! What have they been doing over the last 14 years (apart from lining their mates' pockets)?

[@sasserine]

Putting KGB agents into the Lords.

[@ColinBarrett001]

.... apart from lining their mates' pockets, in exchange for corrupt kick-backs.

[@techtinkerin]

General election

[@sarangistudent8614]

What ,you want ANOTHER vote? You had one a few years ago, and you want another vote. That’s not how democracy works, according to brexiters anyway.

[@MaxDamageTV]

"I would say, juding by our inbox at Times Radio, *people* have *views* about rainbow lanyards..." Yeah Matt. Pathetic sad people.

[@AndriyValdensius-wi8gw]

Black day for Labour. Not a SINGLE Tory MP has defected. 😂🤣😅

[@grahamlees4394]

hold my beer...

[@archiemcberry7102]

Sir Keir is like the Pied Piper luring Tory MP's to his tune.

[@joejohnson1969]

Well said, Luring British public towards reform Conservative alliance again also 😁

[@peteratkin3788]

@@joejohnson1969 not sure reform Conservative alliance would swing things, UK is centre left, not sure a far right populist party would swing it.

[@snowyowel7961]

Or they are on a sue gray promise. I wouldn't put anything past shifty starmer.

[@andydudley1775]

no he just making sure rishi looks eactly what he is a pint sized unelected loser .no one of thedefecors will not be standing next election they be replaced .

[@S-I-T]

Shifty Starmer ​@snowyowel7961 are you joking? Where have you been these past years? The Tory stench of corruption is worse than our sewage filled rivers. Word of advice. Have a cup of fizzy pop then a lie down and leave the politics to the adults eh? 😂

[@jonhenson1991]

Lanyards are the new tory enemy... the laziest party ever #EVER .. Instead of fixing, they're stuffing and chicken-running... #maggots

[@mikecahill3989]

How can we spend anything on Defence when we can’t even secure our own borders🤷‍♂️🤢🤯

[@bonariablackie4047]

Well, you know, being an island does tend to mean we are surrounded by sea. And we have always had 24 cutters patrolling our borders. Not to mention customs and security. Just in case you weren't on top of things like control of our borders.

[@sasserine]

Can't? Or Won't? Tories cancelled all vehicle checks, years ago, because carrying them out would expose no preparations had been made for EU/UK trading standards deviation. Criminals aren't getting in via small boats, but through the Brexit-shaped hole in our land routes.

[@jogriffiths5766]

Very good point.

[@DC.409]

Starmer’s closing question obviously for the media sound bite was devastating. “Jumped up milk monitor” is already doing the rounds on social media.

[@UnfoundFilms]

It is weird how Rishi’s ONLY response to criticism is to blame everything in the opposition. Does someone need to remind him who’s supposed to be in charge?

[@jatbat201]

Lol, how bad is this Tory media machine making the PM sound good when he didn't even answer a question, so when are you going to hold You muppet accountable. The Radio time 😂😂😂

[@Helen-nl9lv]

Shame on the useless "Mr Speaker " who has never insisted that the smirking greasy Pygmy answer the questions.

[@vicvalliant1092]

Does this mean there is no difference between Conservatives and Labour or MP's have no beliefs or principles or MP's will do anything to be elected, or all three. Can someone please grow a spine!

[@Knappa22]

General election NOW. This lot need to be taken to the vet’s for the last time.

[@susanpettitt713]

ENOUGH nothing works GE

[@hecter3008]

Wow they are so happy to watch question time cra. P. The prisons are full? Do we remember who trashed the prisons?

[@NSW-ye3xw]

We suffered 3.5 years of post-brexit vote circus under Threasa May. We suffered covid lies and embarrassment under Boris Johnson. Now Rishi Sunak. Please put us out of our misery.

[@georgebain5734]

I think you will find that Boris was saying what the scientists were telling him. Sorted that for you.

[@NSW-ye3xw]

​@georgebain5734 yes they were, but it didn't stop Boris partying during lockdown, and while Her Majesty The Queen attended her husband's funeral - alone. Sorted that for you.

[@AndriyValdensius-wi8gw]

You mean the same Boris Johnson who went round shaking hands with everyone he met, including sick people in hospitals DESPITE BEING warned by scientists and doctors about the dangers of Covid transmission and promptly contracted Covid and ended up on ITU, and was lucky to survive ? THAT Boris Johnson ? Or was it another one ?

[@matthewv4170]

​@@georgebain5734that's not his job

[@buchanfoulsham6314]

@@georgebain5734 Only while it suited him.

[@stephenelliott7071]

Meanwhile in the real world 🤣

[@saragonmcenany6229]

Unpacked Rishisoonout needs to pack his bags 💼

[@Oodjamiflops]

Domestic abuse is a serious crime

[@debbywilliams9172]

Really tell the police that

[@finderoftruths]

Oh my favourite Tory shills hard at it again.😂How they contort themselves.

[@arma21regency]

Both of these will be footnotes in history

[@mrdaveythebaby]

That's top trolling from Labour

[@user-eq8bw7eh4b]

LABOUR & THE UK IS ISLAM BLACKS & INDIAN RUN WHEN LABOUR GETS IN KHAN OR LAMMY WILL SOON BE PM THE ENGLISH ARE FINISHED

[@charlesflouvat1829]

What's 2-5%of a shrinking economy?

[@narannavan]

Record levels of investment according to the Tories

[@Oodjamiflops]

If they are tagged they need a central command 24/7

[@MaxTheLazyCat]

Vote labour, pressure for PR vote in DemSoc party, better country.

[@kingpig8732]

Just vote tactically, labour, lib dem or one of the few areas the greens are doing good is best

[@stephengraham1153]

@@kingpig8732 PR needs to be a high priority, and I'm not sure that Starmer will bow to pressure. In a truly democratic society everyone deserves a voice, no matter how unpalatable some of those voices might be. More people would be encouraged to participate in politics and vote in general elections if they knew their vote was being counted. In my own case, in over 40 years of voting in general elections my chosen candidate has never been elected. My views have never been represented in Parliament.

[@kingpig8732]

@@stephengraham1153 Yep, and the Lib dems have tried to get AV in the coalition, but guess what, there was a referrendum but the majority said NO! We have literally denied a fixed political system and we need the lib dems back and hopefully this time we will turn on our braincells

[@VesiustheBoneCruncher]

Starmer is virtue signalling on PR, with appointments of people in favour of it in places that look good, and condemns FPTP but never actually commits to anything. It’s a play straight out of the New Labour handbook. Both Labour and the Tories show total contempt for the electorate, and democracy itself in this regard.

[@mup_pet]

@@stephengraham1153 As far as I understand it, Starmer is very much in favour of PR (although there are a few in Labour who are against it), but because of years of Tory mismanagement and downright deliberate destruction, there are so many things he's got to get sorted to show the voters that under Labour things are improving. If he doesn't get PR squarely on the table by the second term, then I completely give up on politics. It's just going to be a never-ending cycle of Labour building things up, and then for the Tories to come back in to sell it all off to their mates, kicking the rest down and giving the one-finger salute to the poor and vulnerable members of society.

[@david-cugini]

only roland will be left soon...

[@lenholloway4390]

I will be crystal clear that my answer is as clear as mud

[@IRE59]

I'm not sure your commentators know how PMQs works

[@bereal6590]

They're tory shills is why

[@DisleyDavid]

You probably think the main purpose of PMQs is to get the PM to answer questions. If so it patently doesn't function as required.

[@AndriyValdensius-wi8gw]

@IRE59 Prime Minister's Questions "works" ?? How ? 😁

[@IRE59]

@@AndriyValdensius-wi8gw that's the point

[@mrpenguin815]

There are two purposes - to give the PM a mechanism for being briefed on everything his cabinet ministers don't want to tell him and to keep them on their toes, which we don't see directly but is a good thing; and to give the party leaders a chance to get a clip out. Starmer has a habit of leaving the door open for Rishi to say what he wants to say (e.g. by asking five questions in one so Rishi can pick the easiest one).

[@Oodjamiflops]

They need to be stopped or they might grow up committing other crimes

[@annemoncrieff3875]

I always knew lanyard as a nautical term. Ropes onboard ships. When dof it vecome the word to hold a card?!

[@kenbushnell4793]

Weak leadership, poor economic management and Brexit have dragged Britain out of the top 10 countries in a global index on good government. The decline of Britain under the Tories has been charted by the Chandler Global Index for Good Government (CGGI) which saw it take 11th place. At a time when Rishi Sunak has been under siege from his own try MPs, the UK’s place on the annual list was made worse by scores for “leadership and foresight” putting it in 20th place. It was also hit by coming 27th in “financial stewardship”. The findings come amid a report of an exodus by companies from the City of London.

[@pierrechardaire8525]

Growth figures without adjustment for infllation are meaningless.

[@federicoprice2687]

Rich Sunkrat - call an election and get OUT!!

[@Oodjamiflops]

Barry's Law for the people

[@bobirvine9188]

It makes no difference which mafia gets in as the left wing and right wing all work for the best interests for whoever pays them ,they work for the UK corporation

[@pauln6803]

The problem with democratic elections is that political parties need funding. And in return for that funding, someone will expect some influence in return.

[@megstlimlim3386]

Lawyer BURUK RUSHEE 😮

[@colinmcclymont]

Tories let Scotland prisoners out early in the 90s,or has every mp forgotthat

[@kevinhay3778]

So sad to see a desperate British priminister 😁😁😁😁😁

[@bobalopadus8901]

He's talking about lanyards defence and emails because he was leading Sunak down the garden path

[@evelbsstudio]

Taking the coutry back to 2015 couldn't be a bad thing, more job opportunities, NHS not as broken, royal mail nationalised, farmer subsidiary, fishing industry not in tatters, schools not privatised just to name a few. Oh and a benefits system that helps working people, disabled etc more than the new one. No zero hour contacts

[@pauln6803]

There were zero hour contracts, although it was mostly limited to temp supply agencies.

[@angelaknight7184]

You won’t do anything about it,your just making a dam mess every where just go ,rushi

[@Oodjamiflops]

The police will have the power to release people on tag for life if they are deemed not a threat to others

[@jonmortermusic]

No defections to Labour this week? I’m sure Owen Jones would declare that as a disaster for Starmer

[@adijaber4236]

It's amazing the amount of copium you lot go through

[@Oodjamiflops]

Children can abuse their parents

[@Oodjamiflops]

Planning is important

[@sallywilks456]

I detest this comedy show and the political commentary that follows. The country is falling apart, with no clear vision, and its all jokes, and who got the best political gimmick.

[@pgs1796]

You and me both, its a ridiculous weekly pantomime.

[@stephenward4569]

BlackRock buddies doing burlesque.

[@kevinhay3778]

Only tax fraud 😂😂😂😂😂

[@Oodjamiflops]

This is planning 😂

[@nickd.6365]

Becoming more of a comedy channel this 😂

[@Oodjamiflops]

Keep policies close that is to all parties ❤

[@mrpenguin815]

Rishi shouldn't make jokes. It's not the style he should be demonstrating and he's not very good at telling them anyway so they fall flat. Starmer doesn't come across as someone with much experience at the bar, despite his obviously strong legal career. He doesn't have the eloquence that most KCs have and he doesn't seem to be very good at pinning the PM to one topic.

[@pauln6803]

Parliament doesn't follow the same structure as a courtroom, unfortunately. Sunak can dodge and waffle, and even though it's against the parliamentary code of conduct, lie. I would like a speaker that could and would order the PM and government to answer questions and issue penalties for failing to correct the record.

[@mrpenguin815]

The processes are different but the general point about keeping people focused applies everywhere. Ask one question and it is harder (but not impossible) to dodge it. Ask multiple questions and he can pick the easiest one and look like he answered it.

[@johnburniston6525]

CONservatives evapourating minute by minute.Only to join the other party which equally cons the voters.Then they both fly away when a sincere voice Andrew Bridgen presents a case which needs discussing. Do they support the voters?

[@keithsmith4215]

Bridgen is a loon!

[@sarangistudent8614]

@@keithsmith4215so are most Tory voters.

[@sandyellis28]

Tbf it’s pathetic planning by the Govt to run out of prison spaces like this. It doesn’t happen overnight and was a long time coming even before the pandemic. They could have made arrangements for more spaces & managed phased releases based on risk assessments & preparing victims. It’s incompetence as with every other area - NHS list, dentists, soc care etc. I think Starmer did well with obscure / mixed 3 questions first. He played with Sunak and got him to give those assurances of no public risk etc. Then threw in the report & ofc, if anything goes wrong with those released offenders, it’s a matter of public record & will haunt Sunak. It was a trap.

[@garethjohn5345]

Has Sunak had his trousers lengthened?, or his legs shortened?

[@Wassup-Doc]

Yay, the white rectangle has gone !

[@Chessdot89]

That glitch from kier made me sure we are in a simulation 😂

[@matthewv4170]

Timestamp please

[@madmikeproductionsuk]

@@matthewv417010:01-10:02 😂

[@ansfridaeyowulfsdottir8095]

You guys are deluded. Sushi Niknak was roasted. I can smell the burning fish from here. {:o:O:}

[@malcolmmitchell6529]

You

[@user-js3rg9sj1k]

USELESS BDS

[@michaeltschuertz]

Austrian here: why does nobody like the 50 pounds Note? That is basically a regular note in my country together with 100 200 and sometimes still 500.

[@Benjamin.Jamin.]

Yeah it's silly especially given inflation. But they got a rep for forgery decades ago and that was that.

[@mrpenguin815]

What a great question. Hardly anyone uses it so shopkeepers often don't know how to identify a fake so don't trust them so nobody wants them.

[@pauln6803]

Counterfeits and change. Fakes are the obvious, but people are using electronic payments more and cash less, so shopkeepers will carry less small change. Also shops are using secure cash boxes, rather than put notes into the till.

[@abbeymeadswindon]

More problems from.migrants 😅

[@archiemcberry7102]

Sir Keir must be cautious and not beat up Rishi too badly. Showing mercy will gain Sir Keir more votes than humiliating Rishi in public.

[@TrevorHerbert-dj1jl]

No chance

[@stephengraham1153]

Yeah, the tories are doing a good enough job of humiliating themselves without anyone helping them.

[@georgebain5734]

Sir Keir couldn't beat an egg

[@stephengraham1153]

@@georgebain5734 Current polling indicates around 275 seats will turn away from tory to Labour. tories will become a minor party. This is not good for the UK's shaky democracy. A decent opposition will be necessary when Labour wins it's landslide victory. The first casualty of the GE will be Sunak, but I can't see anyone else in the tory party with the ability to take his place.

[@mickg7299]

Politics is not for the faint hearted…If you want a friend in politics get a dog.

[@Chessdot89]

Skooma addict kier 🤣

The Prime Minister might as well be standing at the bottom of the Mariana Trench he is so very far out of his depth.

[@Chessdot89]

Skooma addict kier 😂

[@goonerboz6023]

The citizens are squirming vote labour still get tory need to end the uniparty and vote independents or new parties like the workers party etc

[@bereal6590]

No

[@goonerboz6023]

@@bereal6590 yes we don't want neo liberalism anymore

[@stephengraham1153]

Before we can achieve this we need PR.

[@goonerboz6023]

@@stephengraham1153 not at all just dont vote uniparty not rocket science

[@georgebain5734]

Typical Left Wing Times Radio exaggeration

[@redlightmax]

Wait, you think that Times Radio is left-wing?

[@snowyowel7961]

I didn't Squirming . God help us if shifty starmer gets in seriously keep labour OUT. For our children grandchildren and future generations of English people. Labour are the problem not the solution.

[@matthewv4170]

Is Shifty Starmer the new line?

[@snowyowel7961]

@@matthewv4170 It suits him just fine.

[@S-I-T]

Hey now there you go again. Lol. Talking utter shizzle. You had that lie down yet?

[@davidbarrett1006]

@@matthewv4170 No, it's just @snowyowel7691demonstrating the need for a beefed-up education system.

[@swanvictor887]

awww...bless your withered heart. Try getting some help mate, I think you might benefit from a talk with someone, help sort out your issues....Or are you going through the stages of Grief?

[@debbywilliams9172]

Sunak murderer

[@Chessdot89]

Skooma addict kier 🤣

[@S-I-T]

You've said that 3 times now. Absinthe causes memory loss and one to repeat oneself. You should lay off it.