Conservative defector to Labour ‘was bitter at not getting ministerial job’

Tory sources allege that Dover MP Natalie Elphicke crossed the floor because she was not given a post running housing policy

Tory defector Natalie Elphicke stormed out of the party and joined Labour because she was “bitter” about being denied a ministerial job in charge of housing policy, senior Conservative sources have told the Observer.

It is understood that Elphicke was considered for a government job first by Liz Truss when she became prime minister in 2022 but was not in the end given a post. Elphicke then made clear her ambition to become a minister under Rishi Sunak, but again was unsuccessful.