Tory MP and co-chair of the Parliamentary group on British Jews defects to Labour

The MP for Bury South, Christian Wakeford, has defected from the Conservatives to Labour over the government's handling of the 'Partygate' scandal engulfing Downing Street.

In a letter telling the Prime Minister about his decision, the MP and campaigner against antisemitism also spoke of Sir Keir Starmer's battle to rid his part of Jew-hate. Addressing Boris Johnson, he said: “You and the Conservative Party as a whole have shown themselves incapable of offering the leadership and government this country deserves”.

He also branded Boris Johnson "disgraceful" as well as taking aim at the policy decisions of the Conservative party, while at the same time praising the Labour leader for his "integrity".

Wakeford also made specific mention of the way that Starmer has handled antisemitism in the Labour party, saying: "I do believe in the power of politics to be a force
for good. So does Keir Starmer. He has shown that integrity in the way he has lead his party on issues that matter to me, not least the vital challenge of combatting antisemitism.

"I will always put the people of Bury South first and will continue to speak out for the changes the area needs."