Fury at Keir Starmer over Natalie Elphicke defection

View from Westminster

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Wednesday, May 8, 2024 Fury at Sir Keir over Natalie Elphicke defection Sir Keir Starmer has said tackling violence against women and girls is his personal mission, talking up his hope for his young daughter and her friends to grow up feeling safe.  The Labour leader praised women who have "bravely held powerful men to account" and condemned the fact that some were "quickly disparaged or dismissed online".  So, given Natalie Elphicke's past comments about her husband's conviction for attacking women, Sir Keir's decision to welcome her onto Labour's benches raised eyebrows to say the least.  When Charlie Elphicke was sentenced to two years for three attacks on two women, Labour's new MP defended him, saying he was "attractive, and attracted to, women".  She condemned the "excessive" sentence and said the court was "on a bit of a mission".  Sir Keir's official spokesman told reporters on Wednesday that "all of those issues have been dealt with previously".  A Labour source tells The Independent: "Welcoming with open arms someone who has publicly questioned the experiences victims of sexual assault completely undermines Labour's commitment to ending violence against women and girls." .   Quiz question Which Labour MP said "Sir Softie" Keir Starmer cannot be trusted on immigration and wants an open borders policy?  Answer at the bottom of today's email Daily briefing Blow to Sunak as Natalie Elphicke defects to Labour Dover MP Natalie Elphicke has become the third Tory MP to defect to Labour Monty Panesar quits as George Galloway's Workers Party candidate The former England cricketer stood down after just one week Minister Laura Trott branded an MP a 'Brexit zombie'  Ms Trott was responding to complaints from SNP MP Drew Hendry  What else you need to know today James Cleverly announced the expulsion of a senior Russian diplomat from the UK over allegations of spying A former UK national security adviser has criticised Rishi Sunak for failing to suspend arms sales to Israel after the US paused a shipment of bombs overnight Robert Jenrick said he would not oppose Nigel Farage coming back to the Conservative Party The Independent View If Rafah is attacked, Israel will have nothing to show for its unwinnable war Politics explained Rachel Reeves says Tories are 'gaslighting' Britain over the economy. What would Labour do? Keir Starmer has promised a 'decade of renewal' but his chancellor will have a hard job funding it, says Sean O'Grady...   Read more MOST COMMENTED Muslim group issues 18 demands for Keir Starmer to win back voters lost over Gaza Tomorrow inside the Westminster bubble  Our political commentator Andrew Grice on what to look out for   Another quiet Thursday in the Commons, starting at 9.30am with questions to the department for the environment, food and rural affairs.   Then, after any urgent questions and ministerial statements, there is Penny Mordaunt's weekly leadership campaign video, otherwise known as business questions. Followed by two backbench debates, on mining communities and on the BBC charter review.  The Bank of England will announce its interest rate decision at noon. Rishi Sunak will meet university vice chancellors in No10 to discuss efforts to tackle antisemitism on campus and protect Jewish students.   David Johnston, education minister, will announce the locations of 16 new special free schools. David Miliband will take part in a "fireside chat" with Ravi Gurumurthy, boss of Nesta, at 5.30pm.  QUOTE OF THE DAY "When you were at the Garrick… did you not look round and think, 'Good Lord, it's a bit chap-heavy around here', that it was a bit odd just to be with men'?"   Radio 4 presenter Jonny Dymond to former all-male Garrick member Lord Vaizey Enjoy 6 months of Independent Premium for just £66 £6 Get unlimited Premium news analysis, advert-free reading, a digital newspaper every morning, and more SUBSCRIBE NOW Quiz answer: Natalie Elphicke, the newly defected MP for Dover The Independent proudly partners with Refuge and the National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247 Join the conversation or follow us Download the free Independent app Please do not reply directly to this email   You are currently registered to receive The Independent's View From Westminster newsletter.   To unsubscribe from The Independent's View From Westminster newsletter, or to manage your email preferences please click here.   This e-mail was sent by Independent Digital News and Media Ltd, 14-18 Finsbury Square, London EC2A 1AH. Registered in England and Wales with company number 07320345 Read our privacy notice and cookie policy