Indy TV

Natalie Elphicke appeared to join in with protesters’ chants as she attended a demonstration against P&O Ferries’ decision to sack 800 seafarers, resurfaced footage from March 2022 shows.The video was re-posted on social media after the MP for Dover defected from the Tories to Labour, heavily criticising the prime minister and her former party.Footage showed Ms Elphicke being heckled by union members outside Maritime House in the Kent town, with other protesters shouting “You voted for fire and rehire,” and “Shame on you.”Elaborating on her decision to defect, Ms Elphicke hit out at the “broken promises of Rishi Sunak’s tired and chaotic government.” More

Sir Keir Starmer declined to comment on Natalie Elphicke’s past remarks about Charlie Elphicke’s conviction for sexually assaulting two women.Her then-husband, the former MP for Dover, was jailed for two years in 2020.In an interview with The Sun, Ms Elphicke defended him, saying he was “attractive, and attracted to, women” and that that made him “an easy target for dirty politics and false allegations”, claiming he was the victim of a “terrible miscarriage of justice”.When pressed on Ms Elphicke’s remarks on Wednesday, 8 May, the Labour leader declined to comment and said: “I’m delighted to welcome Natalie Elphicke to the Labour party.”She’s got a strong track record on issues such as housing.” More

Tory minister Laura Trott branded an MP a ‘Brexit zombie’ during a heated Commons debate on car insurance prices on Wednesday (7 May).Addressing the Commons, SNP MP Drew Hendry said: “Prices for car insurance have more than doubled in the UK compared to an 18 percent rise across the EU.“What is the reason? Is it Brexit, shameless profiteering or has Westminster just given up on people in the cost of living crisis.”“Why is the government doing absolutely nothing to hold insurance companies to account?Ms Trott replied: “I think we’ve heard enough from the Brexit zombies.” More

This is the moment Tory MP Natalie Elphicke walks across the Commons floor to join the Labour party, just minutes before Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs) on Wednesday 8 May.The Dover MP crossed the floor in the Commons as she hit out at the “broken promises of Rishi Sunak’s tired and chaotic Government”.She said: “I have carefully considered this decision. The change has been dramatic and cannot be ignored.”At PMQs, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer asked Mr Sunak “what is the point of this failed Government staggering on” when “the Tory MP for Dover on the front line of small boats crisis says the Prime Minister cannot be trusted with our borders and joins Labour?” More

Rishi Sunak warned Sir Keir Starmer he can be “as cocky as he likes” after the local election results, but when it comes to a general election “it is policy that counts”.Mr Sunak reminded the Labour leader of Tony Blair’s famous words during Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday 8 May, after Sir Keir began the clash by welcoming Natalie Elphicke and Chris Webb to the Labour benches.Ms Elphicke has defected to Labour, hitting out at the “broken promises” of the government, while Mr Webb is the new Blackpool South MP after winning last week’s by-election.Despite a mauling from the electorate last week, Mr Sunak remained defiant during his clash with Sir Keir. More

Robert Jenrick has admitted he would not oppose Nigel Farage coming back to the Conservative Party.The former immigration minister said on Wednesday (8 May) that Rishi Sunak needs to win back Tory voters who have gone “on strike” because of the failure to curb immigration and tackle extremism.Asked by Nick Ferrari if that would require Farage “with a blue rosette”, Mr Jenrick said that his return is not a “priority”.“I would not oppose Nigel Farage coming back into the party,” he told LBC.“He’s associated with a different political party today – what we should be doing is tackling issues that the public care about.” More

Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride was put on the spot about NHS waiting lists as he was grilled on changes to benefits in the UK.The Tory minister was grilled on the government’s WorkWell scheme, which includes a review of payments to people with mental health conditions, when he appeared on Good Morning Britain on Tuesday (7 May).Presenter Susana grilled Mr Stride after a woman was forced to pay for her own hip replacement as she could not wait 18 months for surgery and could not work because of the pain.Mr Stride replied: “I can’t comment on the specific example.” More

A Tory MP has suggested Labour will win the general election.Paul Scully, who is standing down at the next vote, shared a bleak outlook for Rishi Sunak’s government. “There is a scenario we can get to, if we come up with a vision and sell that vision to the country, rather than just going from crisis to crisis… that you can get to a hung parliament or reduce the losses,” he told BBC Politics on Tuesday 7 May.”My personal view, is that Labour is going to win the election.” More