4/1/2024 0 Comments Easy cat face drawingOur political editor Beth Rigbyhas been right across Lee Anderson's defection from the Tories to Reform today, and says the announcement has plenty of MPs fearing for their futures. She believes the party is "a crash waiting to happen". Sophy's other panellist tonight, former Labour minister Caroline Flint, isn't so sure about Reform's election credentials. Mr Farage has run to be an MP several times and never succeeded, but hasn't ruled out standing again at the next general election. That would "devastate the Tories", he says. "Reform was always going to be a problem," says Montgomerie, but the Anderson defection was "a little twist of the knife" compared to what would happen if Nigel Farage stood as a Reform candidate. He suggests if the party can show polling that proves Mr Anderson has been "boosted" by defecting, it might encourage some of his former colleagues to join him. "They are talking to a number of Conservative MPs," he says of Reform. The founder of the Conservative Home website is one of Sophy's panellists tonight and has been told other Tory MPs may defect too. Lee Anderson's defection may just be a taste of things to come for the Conservative Party, according to Tim Montgomerie. She referred to national insurance as a "double taxation", which "isn't right" and should be scrapped. "What we want to do is reduce taxes on working people," she said. Speaking for the government, Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer has insisted its plan for the economy "is working". He also accused the Tories of having "pinched" the opposition's plan to abolish the non-dom tax status for foreign nationals. Labour will not play fast and loose with the public finances in the way the Conservatives have." "We saw where that led our country before. "What we can't have is a situation where once again the Conservative Party gets away with an entirely unfunded gimmick," he said. Labour has said this is an "unfunded" commitment comparable to the pledges made by Liz Truss in her disastrous mini-budget - a line that's been reiterated by shadow health secretary Wes Streeting this evening. The prime minister and chancellor have said their long-term goal is to completely abolish it. While we were getting ready for Politics Hub With Sophy Ridge, MPs were debating the contents of last week's budget.Īs is custom, the House of Commons is given a few days to go over the contents of the government's fiscal event - the headline measure of which was a 2p cut to national insurance. We'll be back in the morning for more news and analysis from Westminster and beyond - see you then. And a former Labour PM admitted his "shock" at the party's reported proposals to change the way cabinet operates if it wins power.A Tory minister told Sky News the government should be upping defence spending to 2.5% of GDP "now".The Labour leader also opened up about his family life, including his difficult relationship with his father, in a revealing interview with Sophy Ridge.Sir Keir Starmer said the defection was another sign of "Tory division" and reiterated his calls for an early general election.Nigel Farage - who may stand for the party at the election - said it was a "huge" move.Anderson's defection won't trigger a by-election despite it being customary, meaning his Ashfield seat won't be up for grabs until the general election.Reform's leader Richard Tice suggested more Conservatives may follow suit and didn't rule out a Labour MP doing the same.Lee Anderson defected from the Tories to Reform UK, declaring "I want my country back" as he became the party's first MP.If you need to catch up, below are the main points from the day: …on what has been another dramatic day in Westminster.įrom a defection from the Tory party, giving Nigel Farage's Reform its very first MP, to an emotional interview with Sir Keir Starmer, there's been plenty for us to sink our teeth into here in Westminster.
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