Keir Starmer criticized Nigel Farage’s Reform party for welcoming another defected Tory politician. During a tense Prime Minister’s Questions session, the Prime Minister jokingly referred to Conservative defectors as “nuts” moving to Reform. Former Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi, who left the Tory government amid a tax controversy, is the latest to join Reform.
Starmer highlighted Reform’s mayoral candidate’s disinterest in London, the new Tory member’s tax payment struggles, and the leader’s preference for France over constituency visits. The Prime Minister humorously mentioned an Ikea shadow cabinet prototype during a visit to an Ikea branch, mocking the defection trend to Reform.
Referring to Farage’s party as a “laundry service” for disgraced Tory politicians, the Prime Minister teased Kemi Badenoch about seeking advice from Zahawi before his defection. Badenoch responded confidently, dismissing any concerns raised by the Prime Minister. Farage, in turn, criticized Reform’s mayoral candidate for London’s lack of appeal and the party’s association with former Tory politicians facing challenges.