It’s Labour’s turn to crash and burn as party can’t defend Elphicke’s defection

‘Starmer could have told Elphick thanks but no thanks. Instead, the party got greedy.’ Photograph: Stefan Rousseau/PA

Defections tend to be one-day wonders. An awkward photo op with your new party leader. Thirty minutes in the limelight at prime minister’s questions. And then oblivion. Seldom to be seen or heard of again.

Take Christian Wakeford. By all accounts a decent enough bloke. But can you remember anything he has said or done since he jumped ship to Labour? He’s just another backbencher. Albeit one with some explaining to do with the constituents who elected him. Likewise Dan Poulter. He was barely seen in the Commons when he was a Tory MP. Don’t expect that to change much as he serves out his time as an opposition backbencher before stepping down at the coming election.