Ex-MP's move to Greens is Labour's biggest defection

The former Labour MP Lloyd Russell-Moyle has defected to the Greens - the party's biggest defection to date.

- MILLIE COOKE POLITICAL CORRESPONDENT

From 2017 to 2024 Mr Russell-Moyle represented the Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven constituency, which neighbours the longstanding Green seat of Brighton Pavilion. In a statement, he took aim at the direction of his old party, saying it had “left behind millions of people who want hope and want to see change in their lives”.

“For almost 10 years I worked alongside Caroline [Lucas] as the MP next door”, he said. “My old party has left behind millions of people who want hope and want to see change in their lives, their communities and the world around them. In the Greens I see a party that is offering that. In the Greens I see a party I have worked with for years, and I am making the jump to join them today. I urge others to do so too.”