The House of Commons witnessed a moment of pure political theatre on Wednesday as MPs erupted into uncontrollable laughter during Prime Minister's Questions. The source of the hilarity was Shadow Business Secretary Andrew Griffith's bold assertion that the Conservative Party was "getting stronger", a claim that landed with a thud given the recent exodus of Tory MPs to Nigel Farage's Reform UK.
A Bizarre Claim Met with Derision
Standing in for the Prime Minister, who is currently on a diplomatic trip to China, David Lammy delivered a scathing critique of the Conservative Party's woes. He highlighted that 26 Tory MPs have now defected to Reform, quipping that the "Tory transfer window slams shut in 100 days." In a pointed football analogy, the Spurs fan likened the defectors to Sol Campbell's infamous free transfer from Tottenham to Arsenal, branding it the "longest and most disloyal transfer saga" in politics.
Andrew Griffith's response left the chamber in stitches. "I don't know what is in his head," Griffith stated, "it's our party that is getting stronger." The claim, coming just after Suella Braverman became the latest high-profile defector, was met with roars of laughter from across the benches, with MPs struggling to contain their amusement at the apparent disconnect from political reality.
Lammy's Relentless Mockery
David Lammy continued his assault, mockingly reminding Griffith of his role as co-author of Liz Truss's catastrophic mini-budget. "It's always a pleasure to hear from the co-author of the mini-budget," Lammy said to further laughter, "and the man who said that Liz Truss 'had the best plan to deliver for voters'. Remember that?" The dig underscored the ongoing Conservative turmoil and policy failures that continue to haunt the party.
Badenoch's Blistering Attack on Defectors
Earlier in the session, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch launched a ferocious attack on former colleagues who have abandoned the party for Reform UK. In a speech dripping with contempt, she accused the defectors of throwing "a tantrum dressed up as politics." Badenoch took direct aim at several high-profile figures, including Nadhim Zahawi, Robert Jenrick, Andrew Rosindell, and Suella Braverman, all of whom defected this month.
Her remarks were deeply personal. She offered a sarcastic apology to Robert Jenrick for not winning the Tory leadership contest and to Nadhim Zahawi for failing to secure a peerage in the House of Lords. Badenoch also extended her apologies to those overlooked for shadow cabinet positions, a clear barb directed at Braverman and Rosindell. This internal strife highlights the profound divisions and bitterness festering within the Conservative ranks as the general election approaches.
A Party in Perilous State
The scenes in the Commons underscore the precarious position of the Conservative Party. With defections mounting and public ridicule becoming a regular feature of parliamentary proceedings, the claim of growing strength appears increasingly untenable. The laughter that greeted Andrew Griffith's statement was not merely about a poorly timed comment; it was a reflection of a broader political narrative where the Tories are seen as a party fragmenting under pressure, struggling to maintain unity and credibility in the face of a resurgent Reform UK challenge.
