Bury MP defects to Labour highlighting Starmer’s ‘integrity’ in antisemitism fight
Christian Wakeford quits the Tories just before Prime Minister's Questions, telling an embattled Boris Johnson labour is 'back firmly in the centre of British politics'
Lee Harpin is the Jewish News's political editor
Bury South MP Christian Wakeford has sensationally defected from the Conservative to Labour Party – highlighting Sir Keir Starmer’s “integrity” in “the vital challenge of combating antisemitism” in a letter to the Prime Minister.
Wakeford’s decision to join Labour emerged only minutes before under pressure Boris Johnson faced Starmer in stormy Prime Minister’s Questions in the House of Commons.
Elected in 2019 in the Red Wall seat, Wakeford had previously been seen as one of the leading young political stars who typified the PM’s ability to win over former Labour voters.
But in his letter to the PM confirming his defection to Labour Wakeford said Tory policies had “done nothing to help the people of my constituency and indeed are only making the struggles they face on a daily basis worse.”
But Wakeford was also quick to praise Starmer’s work on combating antisemtism within his party.
As co-chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Jews, the MP has been outspoken in his condemnation of antisemitism.
Earlier this month he led a backbench debate in the Commons in which he openly condemned Professor David Miller and the antisemitism scandal at Bristol University.
On Tuesday, Wakeford also issued a firm statement after Covid conspiracy stickers featuring Nazi swastikas were plastered around Bury.
Wakeford had previously been a solid Conservative Friends Of Israel supporter – but he is now expected to become involved with Labour Friends of Israel instead.
In his letter to the PM, Wakeford said he had “wrestled with my conscience for months” before joining Labour.
But he added: “Under Keir Starmer the Labour Party is back firmly in the centre of British politics, in touch with working people.”
He added the Labour leader had “shown that integrity in the way he has led his party on issues thart matter to me, not least the vital challenge of combating antisemitism.”
At PMQs, Starmer welcomed Wakeford into his party telling MPs his party had “changed.”
Johnson said the Tories would win the seat back at the next election. Starmer said Bury South was a Labour seat now.
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
