Keir Starmer’s Bolder Path to UK Power Risks Leaving Labour Behind
- Labour Leader criticized for accepting Conservative defector
- But Starmer’s team calculate there’s more gain than pain
Keir Starmer and his senior advisers saw the defection of a right-wing Conservative immigration hard-liner to the Labour opposition this week as a political coup. But others in the party felt ambushed.
Fewer than 10 people were in the loop before Starmer announced Natalie Elphicke was crossing the floor of the House of Commons on Wednesday, according to people familiar with the matter who requested anonymity discussing internal party matters. The circle was kept tight as the Labour leader’s closest aides aimed to stun Rishi Sunak with a knockout blow at Prime Minister’s Questions. Even the Labour politician handling migration policy, Yvette Cooper, wasn’t in the know.