Keir Starmer criticized Nigel Farage’s Reform Party for welcoming another former Tory member, labeling it a “laundry service of disgraced Tory politicians.”
During a tense session of PMQs, the Prime Minister joked about Conservative members defecting to Reform, mentioning Nadhim Zahawi’s recent move following a tax-related controversy during his time in the Tory government.
Starmer pointed out that Reform’s lineup includes a mayoral candidate with negative views on London, a new Tory defector who faced tax issues, and a leader spending more time in France than in their constituency.
In a light-hearted comment during a visit to IKEA, the PM mentioned an “Ikea shadow cabinet” prototype, humorously suggesting it was made of “dead wood” with nuts defecting to Reform.
Referring to Farage’s affiliation with former Tory members, the PM made a mocking reference to “the member for Clacton’s laundry service.” Zahawi claimed that Kemi Badenoch sought his advice before her potential shift, prompting the PM to humorously remark on her seeking guidance and the subsequent defection of Zahawi to Reform.
In response, Badenoch assured the PM not to worry about her, while Farage criticized Reform’s London mayoral candidate for their perceived disconnect with the city and highlighted the tax issues of the new Tory recruit and their leader’s absence from their constituency.