Beebo
Veteran
Seems odd. But she isn’t standing at the next election anyway so it’s only for a few months and then have probably worked out that any defection is probably a net benefit for Labour
Starmer's vision quest
- Thread starter mjr
- Start date
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Seems odd. But she isn’t standing at the next election anyway so it’s only for a few months and then have probably worked out that any defection is probably a net benefit for Labour
A
albion
Guest
Guess Starmer bought into this., which is easy when you are near broke.
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2013/jun/25/natalie-elphicke-blueprint-social-housing-finance
A resurrection?
https://www.theguardian.com/society/2013/jun/25/natalie-elphicke-blueprint-social-housing-finance
A resurrection?
multitool
Guest
winjim
Welcome yourself into the new modern crisis
I'd rather they tried to do something which would benefit the country if it's all the same.
Beebo
Veteran
winjim
Welcome yourself into the new modern crisis
I don't care about Elphicke, I care what it tells me about Starmer's Labour. They're a shoo in for the next government, they could have told her to do one. But they didn't, because they are Tories.
Ian H
Legendary Member
multitool
Guest
Poor analogy because the two defectors are out of job next election regardless because they are standing down.
They could have just kept quiet for 6 months, but they haven't. The only thing in it for them is to hurt the Tory party.
I'm quite up for that.
The Crofted Crest
Active Member
He welcomes Natalie Elphicke but not Diane Abbott. Funny old world
Rusty Nails
Country Member
Elphicke has not ridden pillion with Corbyn on a motor bike holiday. That puts Abbott beyond the pale in today's Labour Party.
multitool
Guest
Welcome to politics.
It is undeniably unjust. But, as with so many things in politics it's a balanced view. I don't for one minute think that Starmer didn't hold his nose when Elphicke sat on his sofa, but at this point the argument could be made that if Labour intend to make reforms that will affect people's lives they need to guarantee a majority, and a sizeable one at that, otherwise they will be politically neutered.
The calculation over Elphicke may be correct or not, we'll never know, but there is an interesting point about the effect of sucking in a virulent Tory whose constituency sits at the heart of the sMaLl bOaTs
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Fab Foodie
Guru
Have to say I was apoplectic when I heard this yesterday. Having spent 7 years in her constituency I have absolutely no time for the toxic waste of space that she is. I think her voting record speak for itself. Had I been Starmer I'd have enjoyed telling her to do one (which I did vehemently as she stood on my doorstep some years back).
Having said all that, as a piece of performative politics it was another opportunity to stick the knife into Starmer and sends a message to those right wing Tories that if the party is not right wing enough for Elphicke then maybe their votes are better elsewhere (Reform). Top Tory Tosser Jenrick was on the Toady program this morning saying that the voters want a more right wing agenda than Elphicke and Sunak (clearly he can't read, or is innumerate or speaks to very few selected voters). If her defection helps hasten a GE, then that's a positive....
As she's standing down at the next GE, then the damage is limited. She's lost all political credibility on the public stage (though the people of Dover still like her) and hopefully will disappear up her own fundament, but if she can do something for social housing under Labour then that's a bonus I guess.
I saw this in an article today in the graun where they were interviewing Dover locals - unbelievable lack of thinking which shows what we're up against in our 'democracy':
https://www.theguardian.com/politic...-voters-on-natalie-elphicke-switching-parties
Alwyn Conway, 80, agreed that Elphicke had done “good work” in the area, and shared Hewer’s apprehension about a Labour government. While he felt it was a matter of “the devil and the deep blue sea”, he added that “with the Conservatives you know where you are. It might be out of the frying pan and into the fire”.
But Conway said he may still vote for Elphicke in the general election: “If Natalie’s changed over and she’s of the opinion of stopping boats, that could swing me in her favour. I vote for the person, not the party.”
His wife, Carol Conway, 79, said: “We don’t want Labour to run the country. It’s gone to the dogs. I’m shocked that she’s done that.”
The Conways were Labour voters for most of their lives before switching to the Conservatives. They are dissatisfied with the current government, but Carol is worried that Labour would be less tough on immigration. She is sceptical about politics more generally, adding: “Politicians aren’t in it for us any more, they’re in it for themselves.”
icowden
Legendary Member
Shock news there that the over 70s tend to favour the Conservative party rather than rational thought...
