CONSERVATIVE MP Natalie Elphicke has defected to the Labour Party.

The controversial Dover MP crossed the floor in the Commons just moments before Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday.

Elphicke released a 500-word statement on her decision to defect to Labour, writing: "The elected Prime Minister was ousted in a coup led by the unelected Rishi Sunak.

"Under Rishi Sunak, the Conservatives have become a byword for incompetence and division. The centre ground has been abandoned and key pledges of the 2019 manifesto have been ditched."

The statement was released through the Labour Party press office.

It went on: “We need to move on from the broken promises of Rishi Sunak’s tired and chaotic Government. Britain needs a Government that will build a future of hope, optimism, opportunity and fairness.

"A Britain everyone can be part of, that will make the most of the opportunities that lie ahead. That’s why it’s time for change. Time for a Labour Government led by Keir Starmer. The General Election cannot come soon enough.”

Labour have already selected Mike Tapp to run in Elphicke's Dover seat at the next General Election.

READ MORE: Tory MP Natalie Elphicke jeered at protest over P&O Ferries sacking

The party has welcomed Elphicke to the group.

At Prime Minister’s Questions, Labour leader Keir Starmer asked Rishi Sunak: "What is the point of this failed Government staggering on [when] the Tory MP for Dover on the front line of small boats crisis says the Prime Minister cannot be trusted with our borders and joins Labour?”

In 2021, Elphicke was one of several MPs suspended from the Commons for one day for trying to influence the judge in a case linked to her former partner Charlie Elphicke, who was found guilty on multiple counts of sexual assault.

Elphicke took the seat on for the Tories after her husband held it for nine years.

In December 2021, SNP MP Ian Blackford called out Elphicke for a "sickening" Christmas Day message about Channel crossings.

Commenting on Elphicke's defection, SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn said she was "one of the most right-wing” Tory MPs and asked Starmer what his party's values are.

He said: “This latest lurch to the right of UK politics by the Labour Party will shock hard working families across these isles.

“At a time when the public are crying out for change we have the Labour Party taking on an MP who actively campaigned for both Boris Johnson and Liz Truss.

“When Sir Keir Starmer talks about a changed Labour Party we can see that the face of that change is one of the most right-wing politicians in parliament. It is absolutely grim.”