Will Natalie Elphicke's defection to Labour hurt the Labour party?

Some described Natalie Elphicke's defection to Labour as the equivalent of a Corbynista like Zarah Sultana joining the Tories.

In many ways it's worse. Whatever people think of Zarah Sultana's political beliefs, she as a person is not disreputable. But Natalie Elphicke is a wrong 'un.

Her seat in Dover and Deal was held by her husband Charlie Elphicke, but Theresa May suspended him in 2018 following allegations of rape. She was elected in his place in Dec 2019.

Charlie Elphicke was convicted in July 2020, and this is when Natalie Elphicke's bad behaviour emerged. Because the trial was concluded, she was free from sub-judice rules. She proceeded to smear and attack the rape victims. When Elphicke appealed his conviction, she attempted to lobby the judge, writing to him on House of Commons headed paper.

The judiciary were unamused and complained. The House of Commons responded by giving her a one-day suspension.

She then clashed with Rishi Sunak and decided to step down at the next election.

Her defection was obviously a vengeful desire to stick it to Rishi.

But why did Labour accept such a bad defector?

On Twitter, Labour supporters are saying, "Starmer is playing 3d chess, he knows voters will only clock that a Tory defected to Labour, they won't notice the rest." This supposes that voters are stupid.

A clear difference in character is emerging between Sunak and Starmer.

During the Tory leadership contest, Sunak told his party all sorts of unpalatable home-truths. He lost, but then became Prime Minister anyway when all his predictions came true. That difficult episode established two things; Sunak doesn't lie for political advantage. And his judgement about how bond markets respond to policy was spot on.

Starmer lied to win the Labour leadership. His acolytes are brazenly unapologetic about it. "You have to lie to win elections," they explain. Does that include general elections too?

Starmer has lied, sorry u-turned on hundreds of policies since becoming leader. His embrace of Natalie Elphicke shows a lack of regard for bad behaviour. Lying, smearing rape victims, interfering in trials - he sees nothing wrong with any of this.

At this rate, he'll do a deal with Putin to obtain power.