It has been lower than two years since Labour’s shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves instructed Tory MP Natalie Elphicke to “f*** off” for criticising Marcus Rashford on the Euros. Now they’re colleagues.
Ms Elphicke crossed the ground of the Home of Commons to hitch Labour forward of Prime Minister’s Questions, inflicting a stir on each side of the Home.
The Dover MP has lengthy been crucial of the Labour Occasion – particularly on immigration – however she now says the get together has “modified out of all recognition” and is attempting to create “a Britain everybody might be part of”.
Politics newest: ‘Extraordinary’ Tory defection to Labour
Ms Elphicke added that the Conservatives “ousted” Boris Johnson in a “coup led by the unelected Rishi Sunak” – with the get together now a “byword for incompetence and division”.
So who’s Natalie Elphicke, what are her insurance policies, and why did she defect?
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Defecting Tory MP crosses ground to Labour
Who’s Natalie Elphicke?
Professionally a solicitor, Ms Elphicke was lengthy concerned in Conservative Occasion politics, working with thinktanks and on coverage targets.
She was not chosen to contest a parliamentary seat till 2019 – regardless of attempting earlier than – though the chance emerged from scandal.
Her now ex-husband, Charlie Elphicke, had been the Conservative MP for Dover, however he was arrested, charged and ultimately convicted of three counts of sexual assault in 2020.
Rishi Sunak and Natalie Elphicke in June 2023, because the prime minister claimed his plan to cease the boats was working
The courtroom heard he had chased one lady round his home whereas chanting “I am a naughty Tory”.
Ms Elphicke contested the Dover seat in 2019 for the Conservatives after her husband’s arrest, and virtually doubled the bulk to 12,278.
She is not going to be standing on the subsequent common election, and campaigned for Liz Truss to turn out to be prime minister in 2022.
Former Conservative MP Charlie Elphicke with Natalie. Pic: PA
What are her insurance policies?
Ms Elphicke has been outspoken on migration, particularly because the MP for Dover.
It was alongside Ms Elphicke that Rishi Sunak introduced his plan to cease small boats crossing the English Channel was working in Dover final 12 months.
Within the minutes after her defection, Conservative MPs started sharing earlier statements from Ms Elphicke.
For instance, in April 2023, Ms Elphicke wrote within the Day by day Categorical that Labour’s makes an attempt to cease the Rwanda deportation scheme was “harmful” – and that Sir Keir Starmer wished to create “loopholes” within the system.
And Tory MPs additionally shared a social media put up from late 2022 by which Ms Elphicke claimed: “A reminder that Labour again fewer and weaker border controls in relation to unlawful arrivals on our shores.”
Within the wake of England’s loss within the Euro 2020 closing – held in 2021 resulting from COVID – Ms Elphicke despatched a non-public message which stated: “They misplaced – would it not be ungenerous to recommend Rashford ought to have spent extra time perfecting his sport and fewer time taking part in politics.”
She later apologised, though when requested in regards to the feedback, Ms Reeves stated in late 2022 that Ms Elphicke ought to “f*** off”.
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Why did she defect?
In an announcement shared by the Labour Occasion, Ms Elphicke talked about Mr Sunak “failing” on preserving “our borders secure and safe”.
She added: “In the meantime Labour plan to construct the houses we’d like, assist younger folks onto the housing ladder and care in regards to the susceptible and homeless. That is why I am honoured to have been requested to work with Keir and the crew to assist ship the houses we’d like.
“We have to transfer on from the damaged guarantees of Rishi Sunak’s drained and chaotic authorities. Britain wants a authorities that may construct a way forward for hope, optimism, alternative and equity.
“A Britain everybody might be a part of, that may benefit from the alternatives that lie forward. That is why it is time for change. Time for a Labour authorities led by Keir Starmer.
“The overall election can not come quickly sufficient.”
