Natalie Elphicke became the second Tory MP in two weeks to cross the floor of the Commons yesterday, dealing another major blow to Rishi Sunak. Starmer welcomed Elphicke to the Labour party at prime minister's questions and said the Conservatives were "failing to keep our borders safe and secure".
The MP for Dover quit the Conservatives with a broadside against Sunak, saying that under his leadership the Tories had become "abyword for incompetence and division" and had "abandoned" the centre ground.
But Starmer's decision to admit her to Labour has been met with bafflement and consternation from Labour MPs, including some in the shadow cabinet and on the frontbench. MPs and shadow cabinet sources expressed reservations about her past comments and conduct.
Labour sources said that Starmer was met with a hostile response over the defection at a meeting of the party's parliamentary committee. They said he was challenged about Elphicke's values and whether a rightwinger with her record should be welcome in the Labour party.
One shadow cabinet minister said: "People are upset and angry right across the party about the decision".
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