Britain’s Conservative Party faced another setback as MP Natalie Elphicke defected to the Labour Party, increasing pressure on Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
Elphicke’s move, announced just before Sunak’s parliamentary session, highlights growing discontent within the Conservative ranks. She criticized the party’s shift towards the right since her election under Boris Johnson’s leadership in 2019, citing concerns about housing and border security.
Her defection follows MP Dan Poulter’s move to Labour last month, emphasizing Labour’s perceived trustworthiness in reforming the National Health Service (NHS).
The Conservatives suffered significant losses in recent local elections, and with a general election looming, they face challenges both in polling and within their own ranks. As of April 29, 63 Conservative MPs have declared their intention to stand down in the upcoming election.
Labour leader Keir Starmer questioned the credibility of the current government, citing Elphicke’s departure and the ongoing small boat crisis. Elphicke’s entry into Labour comes after she succeeded her husband Charlie as MP for Dover in 2019, following his conviction for sexual assault.
