Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy has taken a sharp jab at the Conservative Party regarding the increasing number of defections to the Reform Party, likening it to Sol Campbell’s controversial move to Arsenal in 2001. Nigel Farage has set a deadline of May for any Tories considering defection, warning that after that, they will be denied entry.

During Prime Minister’s Questions (PMQs), Lammy highlighted that 26 Conservative MPs have already defected to Reform, drawing parallels to Sol Campbell’s departure from Tottenham Hotspur. He engaged in a verbal sparring match with Andrew Griffith, emphasizing Griffith’s involvement in Liz Truss’s problematic mini-Budget.

Lammy also criticized Reform defector Andrew Rosindell for his stance on potential NHS privatization, contrasting it with the current government’s achievements in reducing waiting lists and improving healthcare services.

Additionally, Lammy addressed concerns raised by Shadow business secretary Andrew Griffith regarding support for pubs, highlighting the Chancellor’s £4 billion support package and reduced business rates for pubs and music venues.

Furthermore, he continued to draw comparisons between Tory defectors and Sol Campbell’s transfer saga, emphasizing the disloyalty exhibited by those leaving the Conservative Party. Lammy also criticized Griffith’s opposition to renewable investment, highlighting the importance of creating jobs in the sector.

In another exchange, Lammy humorously referred to Griffith’s role as Boris Johnson’s net zero business champion, pointing out his contradictory stance on renewable investments.

During his address at the Cabinet, Lammy expressed deep emotions after listening to the testimony of Holocaust survivor Mala Tribich on Holocaust Memorial Day. He emphasized the importance of preserving the memories of survivors and victims of the Holocaust through the construction of a National Holocaust memorial and learning center near Parliament.

Lammy, who made history as the first Black man to answer Prime Minister’s Questions last year, acknowledged the contributions of other trailblazing figures like Diane Abbott and Kemi Badenoch. He is currently standing in for Keir Starmer at PMQs while Starmer is on an official visit to China, where he plans to address human rights concerns during meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping.