The Labour leader has said Natalie Elphicke has made clear the Conservative Party are "out of road" and "incompetent", following her defection to Labour.
Sir Keir Starmer added, "I don't think she's alone", and believes there are "many Conservative supporters and voters" who feel Labour is the "only party that can take our country forward".
Report by Brooksl.
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Labour Leader Sir Keir Starmer says Rishi Sunakâs announcement of a July 4th general election is âthe moment the country needs and has been waiting forâ. Sir Keir says Labour would run its campaign with "a new spirit of service: country first, party second", insisting it presents âa chance to stop the chaosâ. Report by Blairm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Conservative MP Craig Mackinlay receives a standing ovation as he makes his first appearance in the House of Commons since his sepsis ordeal. MPs from across the House rise to their feet as Mr Mackinlay enters the chamber, and Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer is seen welcoming him back with a handshake. Both Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir pay tribute to the courage of the Thanet South MP. Report by Blairm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Reacting to the fall in inflation to 2.3%, Labourâs Rachel Reeves says it ânot the time for a victory lap and popping champagne corksâ as âworking families and pensioners are still worse offâ. The shadow chancellor insists her party is "much more ambitious for the country than Rishi Sunak and Jeremy Hunt seem to be". Report by Blairm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Labour's shadow health secretary has said he "welcomes" an intervention by the Archbishop of Canterbury calling on the current government and Sir Keir Starmer to.. Sky News
Labour's Catherine McKinnell said Tory MP Natalie Elphicke's defection to Labour "sends a signal that the country is crying out for change." Ms Elphicke became the second Conservative to defect to Labour in two weeks, saying Rishi Sunak's "Conservatives have become a byword for incompetence and division". Report by Kennedyl. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Labour's Jonathan Ashworth says Natalie Elphicke's defection to his party shows how tens of thousands of other Conservatives are doing the same, as they are fed up of 14 years of failed government. Report by Etemadil. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Nick Thomas-Symonds welcomes Natalie Elphicke to the Labour Party and says her and other recent Conservative Party defections show the government is "frankly disintegrating". Report by Blairm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Labour Chair Anneliese Dodds has defended the decision to welcome Natalie Elphicke to the party while Diane Abbott remains suspended.
However, she refused to comment on why the complaint process against Ms Abbott had taken more than a year. Report by Alibhaiz. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
The mother of a Manchester Arena bombing victim meets with Labour Leader Sir Keir Starmer in Westminster, after completing a 200-mile walk from the spot where her son died. Earlier Figen Murray, the mother of Martyn Hett, met with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak as part of her campaign for the implementation of Martynâs Law. Report by Blairm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Rishi Sunak hails Conservative Party activists as "the life blood of our incredible party" who were "up for this General Election" at a rally in London's ExCel Centre. Flanked by cheering and clapping cabinet colleagues, the prime minister wearing shirt sleeves, following his soggy Downing Street appearance earlier, insists his âplan is workingâ. Report by Blairm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey has reacted to Rishi Sunakâs announcement of a July general election, saying: âhe should have done it months ago.â Speaking in front of Lib Dem supporters in Surrey, Sir Ed said the Conservatives have âtaken people for granted for so long.â Report by Jonesia. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Conservative MP Craig Mackinlay returns to Parliament after having both hands and both feet amputated due to contracting sepsis. Mr Mackinlay, who calls himself âthe Bionic MPâ says âI am really looking forward to getting back in that chamberâ. Report by Blairm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
A soaking wet Rishi Sunak makes a statement outside 10 Downing Street calling a general election for the 4th of July, saying it was "the moment for Britain to choose its future". In a sign that security and the economy will be key battlegrounds, Mr Sunak says: "This election will take place at a time when the world is more dangerous than it has been since the end of the Cold War." Report by Blairm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
Ministers arrive at 10 Downing Street amid mounting speculation that the prime minister may call a general election later today. Asked by the media if an election was about to be called, Work and Pensions Secretary Mel Stride jokes: "Too much rain". Report by Blairm. Like us on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/itn and follow us on Twitter at http://twitter.com/itn
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