At Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs), Keir Starmer was jubilant over a Conservative MP defecting to Labour:
I’d… like to welcome the member for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich to his place on these benches. After nearly two decades as a Tory politician and an NHS doctor… he’s concluded that if you care about the future of our country and our NHS then it’s time for change, it’s time for this changed Labour Party
That’s right – Starmer welcomes with open arms former Conservative health minister Dan Poulter, who’s now a Labour Party MP. Another Conservative MP Christian Wakeford defected to Labour in 2022.
Defecting MPs do not have to fight a by-election, even though voters opted for a different party in those seats.
Aside from that, Starmer welcoming Tory MPs to Labour exposes his attempt to block left-wingers, who are also seen as disloyal to him, from standing.
PMQs exposed Starmer’s double standards
For instance, councillor Lauren Townsend had the backing of six trade unions.
Yet Starmer’s so-called ‘quality control process’ blocked local members from the chance to select her to become a parliamentary candidate.
That’s partly because she liked a tweet from former Scottish first minister Nicola Sturgeon. What’s worse is that tweet was Sturgeon saying she tested negative for covid, it wasn’t even political.
A second liked tweet Starmer’s machine asked her to explain was one celebrating Conservative Matt Hancock resigning as health secretary. Hold on, which party is this – Labour or Tory?
Other liked tweets referenced to block her show Townsend may not be very loyal to Starmer. But to become Labour leader, Starmer pledged to members that he’d “unite” the party and “promote pluralism”.
Another example is councillor Maurice McLeod. Starmer’s ‘due diligence’ blocked him from the selection process in part for liking a tweet from Green MP Caroline Lucas on Brexit and the NHS.
McLeod believes its his support for Jeremy Corbyn that is really the issue for Starmer.
By contrast, Starmer has approved candidates with an apparent history of anti-black racism like Joe Johnson.
In fact, there are a number of candidates with questionable views such as praising Saudi Arabia as a “modern, progressive country”.
And if literal sitting Conservative MPs can join Labour, how can Starmer block people from standing for liking tweets from the Greens or the SNP?
It’s a blatant double standard that amounts to a purge of the left and anyone who refuses to bow down to the leadership.
Featured image via The Telegraph – YouTube
