Starmer goads Sunak after Conservative MP defects: ‘What is the point of this government?’

Minutes before prime minister’s questions on Wednesday afternoon, former Conservative MP Natalie Elphicke crossed the floor to join the opposition benches.

Labour leader Keir Starmer celebrated Elphicke’s defection, telling the House: “I … warmly welcome the new Labour MP for Dover to these benches”.

Referencing the defection of Dr Dan Poulter last week, Starmer went on to ask of the prime minister: “If one week a Tory MP who’s also a doctor says the PM can’t be trusted with the NHS and joins Labour, and the next week the Tory MP for Dover on the front line of the small boats crisis says the PM cannot be trusted with our borders and joins Labour, what is the point of this failed government?”

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