[Bones McCoy]

The Guardian details her previous.

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/ar ... -to-labour

I, for one, am deeply uncomfortable with Labour accepting her.
ERG, Policy Exchange, if it steps like a goose ...

I know it's all in the game, and all for show, but - "euwwww" - now wash your hands.


Maybe the only silver lining is that she didn't scuttle off to join RefUK.

[Malcolm Armsteen]

I wasn't aware the road to Damascus went through Dover.

[Arrowhead]

I would’ve preferred it if Starmer had politely said something like “Thanks, but no thanks” to Elphicke to be honest. I mean, I totally understand the bigger picture as to why he accepted her etc, but something about this just feels wrong. Not once, at any stage, has Elphicke ever demonstrated that she aligns with the values of the Labour Party.

[Bones McCoy]

I would’ve preferred it if Starmer had politely said something like “Thanks, but no thanks” to Elphicke to be honest. I mean, I totally understand the bigger picture as to why he accepted her etc, but something about this just feels wrong. Not once, at any stage, has Elphicke ever demonstrated that she aligns with the values of the Labour Party.

I hope it plays well with the low information voters.
The ones everybody appears to be chasing.

It's really difficult for me to watch.

[Bones McCoy]

I wasn't aware the road to Damascus went through Dover.

If you're taking the ferry from the UK ...

[Tubby Isaacs]

I think she'll either have to be very quiet or have to "clarify" a fair bit. I think her comments in connection with her ex-husband are going to be real problem.

[Abernathy]

The thing is, it isn’t about *which* Tory MP is crossing the floor, it’s all but exclusively about another Tory MP crossing the floor. If you like, it’s a new pair of extra grippy soled shoes for Keir Starmer as he continues to cart that priceless porcelain vase across the highly polished floor - not far to go now.

I share people’s distaste for Elphicke and I don’t afford much credibility to notions of a Damascene conversion. I think she is probably motivated more by anger at Sunak and the opportunity to plant a dagger between his pint-sized shoulder blades before she shuffles out of frontline politics for good. But consider the direct parallel between Elphicke’s defection and what Labour has to do actually to win the election : substantially, it is to get former Tory voters and supporters to change their ways and vote Labour this time instead (courtesy of Corbyn, J.). Think of Elphicke as a very high profile former Tory whom we’ve successfully persuaded to support Labour now. It’s all grist to the mill.

[Bones McCoy]

I can see the value of it all.

It just feels like one of the Gallagher brothers falling out with the other and joining Blur on a reunion tour.

[Abernathy]

Yes, not a bad analogy. But still in a musical vein, someone on Times Radio has just made a good point about Joe Soap, the average voter. Joe may well have been listening to some music radio station, and heard just the briefest of information on a news bulletin, that a Tory MP has decided to back Labour and says that Rishi Sunak is a useless twat. Message received and, hopefully, understood.

[davidjay]

Yes, not a bad analogy. But still in a musical vein, someone on Times Radio has just made a good point about Joe Soap, the average voter. Joe may well have been listening to some music radio station, and heard just the briefest of information on a news bulletin, that a Tory MP has decided to back Labour and says that Rishi Sunak is a useless twat. Message received and, hopefully, understood.

Never underestimate the lack of political knowledge amongst the electorate. Johnson certainly didn't.

[Bones McCoy]

Yes, not a bad analogy. But still in a musical vein, someone on Times Radio has just made a good point about Joe Soap, the average voter. Joe may well have been listening to some music radio station, and heard just the briefest of information on a news bulletin, that a Tory MP has decided to back Labour and says that Rishi Sunak is a useless twat. Message received and, hopefully, understood.

Never underestimate the lack of political knowledge amongst the electorate. Johnson certainly didn't.

My point (above) regarding low information voters.
I'm willing to believe the party did it for their benefit.

But don't rule out delicious RefUK tears this evening.
"Why didn't she join us?" - sweeter than whine.

[Crabcakes]

Been thinking a lot about this, and I can see why Starmer did it in terms of short-term discomfort but doing more damage to Sunak. But given how well Labour are doing I just don’t think it was needed. Elphicke has too much, very unpleasant, baggage - not least of which her defence of her awful husband. I think they should have said thanks but no. I’m glad she isn’t seeking reelection, but on balance I think the harm wasn’t worth it.

This was a Tory loss, but I’m far from convinced it was a Labour win.

[Oboogie]

But don't rule out delicious RefUK tears this evening.
"Why didn't she join us?" - sweeter than whine.

Just heard Richard Tice's statement on LBC, Reform wouldn't accept her because she's 'in favour of unlimited immigration ... something, something... and she's a socialist'.

[Andy McDandy]

Must say, it's been nice reading the coverage in the right wing press this morning. Especially when after however long of saying that they're in fact the mainstream and perfectly reasonable views, saying that she's a fanatical hard right winger for having the exact same opinions they've been spouting in editorials for years.

[Oboogie]

A word of advice to anyone who, like me, initially reacted with horror to the news of this defection, listen to the first half of James O'Brien's show today, he and some of his callers have eased my mind no end.

https://www.globalplayer.com/catchup/lb ... 8zKsw8nB8/

[MisterMuncher]

My gut instinct is that Elphicke is angling for the Kate Hoey berth of "I'm in the Labour Party and even I think this is mad" token "left winger" in the post-Election media landscape. Shitbird husband will probably get publicly jettisoned to shore up these credentials

[Oboogie]

Shitbird husband will probably get publicly jettisoned to shore up these credentials

"In March 2021, after he lost his appeal, [Natalie] was reported as having ended the marriage.[96]" https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlie_Elphicke

[MisterMuncher]

A big, bold public tell all. Serialised in the Mail, probably.

[davidjay]

A word of advice to anyone who, like me, initially reacted with horror to the news of this defection, listen to the first half of James O'Brien's show today, he and some of his callers have eased my mind no end.

https://www.globalplayer.com/catchup/lb ... 8zKsw8nB8/

That's you second against the wall come the Glorious Day.

[Oboogie]

A word of advice to anyone who, like me, initially reacted with horror to the news of this defection, listen to the first half of James O'Brien's show today, he and some of his callers have eased my mind no end.

https://www.globalplayer.com/catchup/lb ... 8zKsw8nB8/

That's you second against the wall come the Glorious Day.

A firing squad of Corbynistas trying to hit a man tied to a post a few feet away? I think I'll be safe enough, I have every faith in their incompetence.