Keir Starmer criticized Nigel Farage’s Reform Party for attracting disgraced Conservative politicians in its latest recruitment. During a tense PMQs session, the Prime Minister jokingly referred to defecting Conservatives as “nuts” moving to Reform, highlighting Nadhim Zahawi’s recent switch from the Tory government due to tax issues.
Starmer pointed out that Reform’s lineup includes a mayoral candidate with negative views on London, a new Tory member with tax payment challenges, and a leader spending more time in France than in his own constituency. In a light-hearted moment, the PM mentioned his visit to an IKEA branch to unveil new paternity leave policies, humorously referring to an “Ikea shadow cabinet” made of “dead wood” where nuts defect to Reform.
In response, the PM made a sly remark about “the member for Clacton’s laundry service of disgraced Tory politicians,” insinuating connections between Farage and the defected MPs. Zahawi claimed that Kemi Badenoch sought his advice before the switch, prompting the PM to jest about her seeking advice on change and not from Zahawi’s accountant, who coincidentally jumped ship to Reform the next day.
Badenoch retorted confidently, stating she is fine without the PM’s concern. Farage then criticized Reform’s London mayoral candidate, highlighting concerns about his lack of affinity for London, tax payment issues, and the leader’s absenteeism from the constituency.