Keir Starmer criticized Nigel Farage’s Reform party for attracting former disgraced Tory politicians in its latest defection.
During a tense Prime Minister’s Questions session, the Prime Minister joked about Conservative members switching to Reform, mentioning Kemi Badenoch and the recent defection of former Chancellor Nadhim Zahawi over tax issues.
Starmer pointed out that Reform’s lineup includes a mayoral candidate who dislikes London, a new Tory member with tax payment difficulties, and a leader who spends more time in France than in his constituency.
In a light-hearted manner, the PM mentioned a visit to IKEA to discuss changes in paternity leave rules and joked about an “Ikea shadow cabinet” made of “dead wood” where every lost “nut” defects to Reform.
He also referred to Farage’s alleged recruitment of disgraced Tory members as a “laundry service.” Zahawi claimed that Badenoch sought his advice before her defection, which the PM sarcastically referenced.
Badenoch responded confidently to the PM’s remarks, indicating she was unfazed by his comments. Farage, in turn, criticized Reform’s mayoral candidate for London and highlighted the issues of tax payment and leadership within the party.