Crunch Time

Defecting from the Conservatives to Labour was " The Most difficult decision of my life" says Christian Wakeford .

The MP for Bury South switched parties on Wednesday to cheers from new colleagues, but anger from the old.

Mr Wakeford said he had been considering The Move for " months" and had " many sleepless nights".

But He Said it was the " right thing" for his constituents, adding he would remain " a moderate and centrist. . just wearing a different rosette".

The new Labour recruit, who was elected in 2019, announced his decision moments before Wednesday's Prime Minister 's Questions.

It Comes at a Crunch Time for Boris Johnson , who has been facing growing dissent from his own benches after he admitted he attended a Downing Street drinks event during The First Covid lockdown.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer welcomed Mr Wakeford into The Fold , saying: " History is on your side. "

But Mr Johnson insisted his party would win back the seat again at The Next election.

Speaking to reporters, Mr Wakeford said a range of issues led him to the decision, including free school meals, Dominic Cummings ' trip to Barnard Castle , the cost of living crisis and The String of party accusations of recent weeks.

" This wasn't a matter of just deciding This Morning I want to be a Labour MP, " he added. " This has been many months in the build-up. "

He accused his former colleagues of " defending the indefensible" saying there was " no leadership and no integrity" in the Conservative Party under Boris Johnson .

And he claimed the PM was " running out of road and brass neck to hide behind".

Asked how he would explain this to Tories in his constituency, Mr Wakeford said: " It is not [a decision] I have come to lightly. . hopefully people will understand.

" This is The First day in my adult life that I've not been a member of the Conservative Party - it is that serious. "

He added: " I have had to do a serious amount of soul-searching and hopefully we can all get on and deliver what residents need.

" I was elected as a moderate and centrist and I Am still a moderate and a centrist just wearing a different rosette. "

But some his former Tory peers who were elected in the same year accused him of " betrayal".

One said they felt " let down" by Mr Wakeford's defection, but added The Move had actually " unified The Party " behind the PM.

A former cabinet minister echoed that sentiment, telling The Bbc he had given Tory MPs a new " target" for their Rage - Even those who had been frustrated with the Prime Minister .

At Rosylee Coffee House opposite the Christian Wakeford 's office, there was a feisty conversation about his defection.

Debbie Clark , 52, who lives in the Radcliffe area of Bury, voted Conservative for the First Time at The Last election.

" I Am disgusted, " she told BBC North West Tonight. " I voted for The Party . He should resign and we should have a by-election. "

Her husband Fred, also 52, agrees, adding: " He should not have The Right to go to Labour. "

But 51-year-old Maxine Ballington, who also voted Conservative, she agreed with Mr Wakeford's calls for the PM to resign.

" I've lost Two People to Covid, " She Said . " People were fined for having house parties. How can he go to a party at Downing Street? "

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Source of news: bbc.com