Keir Starmer criticized Nigel Farage’s Reform party for attracting defecting Tory politicians. During a tense session of PMQs, Prime Minister teased that Conservative members were defecting to Reform, referencing the recent move by former Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi over tax issues. Starmer highlighted Reform’s mayoral candidate who seems uninterested in London, the new Tory member with tax payment struggles, and a leader spending more time in France than at home.
While visiting IKEA to discuss paternity leave changes, the PM joked about an “Ikea shadow cabinet” made of unappealing materials, likening it to the defection trend to Reform. Referring to Nigel Farage’s involvement, he mocked the Reform party as a “laundry service” for disgraced Tory politicians. Zahawi claimed that Kemi Badenoch sought his advice before her own potential defection, prompting the PM to jest about her seeking guidance and then witnessing Zahawi join Reform as the 23rd former Tory MP to do so.
In response, Badenoch assured the PM that she was fine, dismissing any concerns about her loyalty. Farage criticized Reform’s London mayoral candidate for not aligning with the city’s interests and highlighted the tax issues of the new Tory recruit, along with the leader’s absence from their constituency.
Overall, the political exchanges revolved around the ongoing defections to Reform and the perceived shortcomings of the party’s candidates and leadership.