A LABOUR politician has welcomed the defection of a Conservative MP to the party - saying he "reserves judgement" on his voting record.

Lloyd Russell-Moyle, MP for Brighton Kemptown, said that former Conservative MP for Bury South Christian Wakeford "sees the light with [a] corrupt lying government".

Mr Russell-Moyle also said he "reserves judgement" on his voting and speaking record since he was elected in 2019.

Mr Wakeford has faced criticism from some Labour activists having previously voted against measures to reduce tax avoidance and against measures to tackle climate change.

In a post on Twitter, Mr Russell-Moyle said: "I look forward to his support of democratic socialism, unions, human rights, against Gypsy/GRT racism and issues he's been wrong about," adding the hashtag #BetterLateThanNever.

Mr Wakeford won Bury South, which had elected a Labour MP at every election since 1997, with a majority of 402 votes at the last general election.

He said that his defection from the Conservatives was "the most difficult decision I have ever had to make" and followed months of soul-searching.

Mr Wakeford said: "There have been far too many issues where I've felt we've been on the wrong side."

He added that his former party had been "trying to defend the indefensible and they are doing so gladly".

His defection came as some Conservative MPs filed letters of no confidence in Prime Minister Johnson with the aim of triggering a vote to oust him.

However, one Cabinet minister has claimed that Mr Wakeford's defection has "calmed nerves" of those calling for Boris Johnson to resign.

Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Conservative MP for Brigg and Goole Andrew Percy said: "I think people have recognised that this constant navel-gazing and internal debating is only to the advantage of our political opponents.

"The Prime Minister is probably thanking Christian for what he did because it's made a lot of people think again, think twice."

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