Keir Starmer criticized Nigel Farage’s Reform Party for attracting more former Tory politicians. During a recent exchange in Parliament, the Prime Minister joked about Conservative members switching sides to Reform. Most recently, ex-Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi joined Reform, having left the Tory government due to tax issues.
Starmer highlighted Reform’s lineup, pointing out a mayoral candidate with no affinity for London, a new Tory member with financial troubles, and a leader who favors France over his constituents. In a humorous twist, the PM mentioned a fictional “Ikea shadow cabinet” made of “dead wood” where every lost “nut” defects to Reform.
Referencing Farage’s involvement, Starmer mockingly referred to Reform as Farage’s “laundry service for disgraced Tory politicians.” Zahawi revealed that Badenoch sought his advice before defecting. Starmer sarcastically remarked on Badenoch’s apparent efforts to salvage her party, hinting that Zahawi’s counsel led to his own defection to Reform.
In response, Badenoch assured the PM that she was capable of handling her situation. Farage, in turn, took a jab at Reform’s London mayoral candidate, highlighting discrepancies in the party’s recruits’ tax compliance and commitment to their constituencies.