A CONSERVATIVE MP has defected from the Conservatives to Labour as Boris Johnson faces no-confidence motion fears.
Christian Wakeford, the Bury South MP, told Boris Johnson that “you and the Conservative Party as a whole have shown themselves incapable of offering the leadership and government this country deserves”.
His move was announced just minutes before a session of Prime Minister’s Questions, with the timing calculated to cause maximum damage to Johnson.
Wakeford won Bury South, which had elected a Labour MP at every election since 1997, in 2019.
READ MORE: Watch PMQs LIVE as Boris Johnson faces furious MPs
He announced his decision in the Bury Times and sent a letter to Johnson explaining why he had lost patience with his leadership.
He wrote: “I care passionately about the people of Bury South and I have concluded that the policies of the Conservative government that you lead are doing nothing to help the people of my constituency and indeed are only making the struggles they face on a daily basis worse.
“Britain needs a government focused on tackling the cost of living crisis and providing a path out of the pandemic that protects living standards and defends the security of all."
Sir Keir Starmer welcomed the defection of Wakeford to the Labour Party.
He said in a statement: “I would like to welcome Christian Wakeford to the Labour Party. He has always put the people of Bury South first.
“As Christian said, the policies of the Conservative government are doing nothing to help the people of Bury South and, indeed, are only making the struggles they face on a daily basis worse.
“I’m determined to build a new Britain which guarantees security, prosperity and respect for all, and I’m delighted that Christian has decided to join us in this endeavour.”
Wakeford was cheered by Labour MPs as he arrived in the Chamber and sat behind Starmer for the Commons showdown with Johnson.
The Prime Minister told Starmer: “The Conservative Party won Bury South for the first time in a generation under this Prime Minister on an agenda of uniting and levelling up and delivering for the people of Bury South. We will win again in Bury South.”
In Scotland, Labour MSP Mercedes Villalba was among those hitting out at Wakeford's move.
"Consistently voted against measures to prevent climate change."
— Mercedes Villalba MSP (@LabourMercedes) January 19, 2022
"Consistently voted against measures to reduce tax avoidance."
"Consistently voted for a stricter asylum system."
This is not the voting record of someone fit to be a Labour representative.
The North East Scotland representative tweeted suspicion over his Labour values. She wrote: "’Consistently voted against measures to prevent climate change."
‘Consistently voted against measures to reduce tax avoidance.’
‘Consistently voted for a stricter asylum system.’
“This is not the voting record of someone fit to be a Labour representative.”
And one Conservative minister didn't hold back in her criticism.
Culture Secretary Nadine Dorries tweeted: “Sadly, @Christian4BuryS has yet to realise that the Union Jack mask he is wearing to cross the floor to Labour, is not welcome on that side of the house.”
More to follow
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel