Tory MP Natalie Elphicke defects to Labour as she criticises Rishi Sunak's leadership

Conservative MP Natalie Elphicke has defected to Labour and labelled Rishi Sunak's government as 'chaotic'.

The Dover MP crossed the floor in the Commons today (May 8) just mere moments before Prime Minister's Questions were set to start. Starmer welcomed Elphicke and used her change in allegiance to criticise Sunak's ability to control "our borders".

Ms Elphicke was elected as Dover's Conservative MP in 2019. The seat was previously held by her disgraced then-husband Charlie, who was jailed for two years after being found guilty in 2020 of sexually assaulting two women.

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After crossing the floor, Ms Elphicke 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?”.

It marks the second recent defection to Labour following Dan Poulter's decision to also leave the party less than two weeks ago.

Ms Elphicke added: "When I was elected in 2019, the Conservative Party occupied the centre ground of British politics. The party was about building the future and making the most of the opportunities that lay ahead for our country.

“Since then, many things have changed. The elected Prime Minister was ousted in a coup led by the unelected Rishi Sunak. Under Rishi Sunak, the Conservatives have become a byword for incompetence and division.

“The centre ground has been abandoned and key pledges of the 2019 manifesto have been ditched. Meanwhile the Labour Party has changed out of all recognition. Since 2019, it has moved on from Jeremy Corbyn and now, under Keir Starmer, occupies the centre ground of British politics.

“It has accepted Brexit and its economic policies and defence policies are responsible and can be trusted.

“Most significantly for me, the modern Labour Party looks to the future – to building a Britain of hope, optimism, opportunity and fairness. A Britain everyone can be part of.”