The House of Commons resounded with laughter on Wednesday as a senior Conservative party member asserted that their party was becoming stronger despite another defection to the Reform UK party. During the PMQs session, MPs struggled to contain their amusement as shadow business secretary Andrew Griffith claimed that the Conservatives were progressing positively.

This statement came after David Lammy, standing in for the Prime Minister during his visit to China, criticized the Tories following Suella Braverman’s recent move to Nigel Farage’s group. Lammy likened Tory defectors to Sol Campbell, known for leaving White Hart Lane for Arsenal on a free transfer. He highlighted that 26 Tory MPs had already defected to Reform UK and humorously pointed out that it was 100 days until the Tory transfer window closed, drawing parallels to a football transfer saga.

In response, Griffith dismissed Lammy’s remarks, emphasizing that it was the Conservative party that was gaining strength. The session also witnessed Lammy mocking a top Tory figure regarding their involvement in Liz Truss’s unsuccessful mini-budget, adding a touch of humor to the proceedings.

Earlier, Kemi Badenoch delivered a scathing speech condemning former Tories who had abandoned the party for Reform UK, accusing them of throwing tantrums disguised as political moves. Badenoch specifically targeted Nadhim Zahawi, Robert Jenrick, Andrew Rosindell, and Suella Braverman for their recent defections. She took jabs at Jenrick for losing his position as Shadow Justice Secretary and expressed faux sympathy to Zahawi for not securing a place in the House of Lords.

Badenoch also extended apologies to those who did not secure roles in the shadow cabinet, indirectly referencing Braverman and Rosindell. The political exchanges and banter added a lively atmosphere to the parliamentary session.