Another Tory MP defects to Labour and hits out at Rishi’s ‘broken promises’

Tory MP Natalie Elphicke has become the latest Conservative to defect to Labour, hitting out at the ‘broken promises of Rishi Sunak’s tired and chaotic government’.

The Dover MP crossed the floor in the Commons just moments before the start of Prime Minister’s Questions.

She said: ‘I have carefully considered this decision. The change has been dramatic and cannot be ignored.

‘For me key deciding factors have been housing and the safety and security of our borders.’

She added: ‘From small boats to biosecurity, Rishi Sunak’s government is failing to keep our borders safe and secure. Lives are being lost in the English Channel while small boat arrivals are once again at record levels.

‘It’s clear they have failed to keep our borders secure and cannot be trusted.”

At Prime Minister’s Questions, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer asked Mr Sunak ‘what is the point of this failed Government staggering on’ when ‘the Tory MP for Dover on the front line of small boats crisis says the Prime Minister cannot be trusted with our borders and joins Labour?’

The defection has prompted anger from Tory MPs, with former minister Dame Andrea Jenkyns tweeting: ‘@NatalieElphicke you were a centre right Conservative, Labour want to give asylum to 50,000 plus people.

‘I thought you had more conviction than to join the lefty labour lot you despised so much!’

Her post contains a screenshot of a headline saying: ‘Don’t trust Labour on immigration they really want open borders, warns Natalie Elphicke.’

Her defection comes just weeks after fellow Tory MP Dan Poulter also crossed the floor, citing concern for the NHS.

This is a developing news story, more to follow soon… Check back shortly for further updates.

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