Labour Party's Strategy to Attract Former Tory Voters
- Sir Keir Starmer of the Labour Party is focusing on attracting former Tory voters.
- The defection of a Tory MP is seen as an indicator of the shifting political landscape.
- Labour aims to position itself as a safe harbor for voters concerned about immigration.
Elphicke, a politician, recently changed from the Conservative party to the Labour party. This has happened before, with over 200 members of parliament switching parties since 1979. Many of them left due to personal issues or disciplinary actions. Elphicke is now running for Labour in Bury South. However, historically, only a few of these MPs were re-elected after changing parties. Some former MPs who switched parties were later given titles like peerages. Elphicke is one of the few women who have switched parties. She used to be a Conservative MP and served as a health minister under Margaret Thatcher. Some other MPs who switched parties ended up in the House of Lords. When politicians switch parties, they are often criticized by their old party and praised by the new one. However, Elphicke's experience has been different. Some Labour MPs are upset with her for defending her husband, a former MP who was imprisoned for a crime. Labour hopes that Elphicke joining them will show people which way the political tide is turning, as past defectors have done.