In comments aimed directly at Mr Johnson’s handling of allegations of lockdown-breaking parties across Whitehall, Mr Wakeford added: “My decision is about much more than your leadership and the disgraceful way you have conducted yourself in recent weeks. 

“However, I don’t believe all politicians are the same and I do believe in the power of politics to be a force for good. So does Keir Starmer.”

Responding to Mr Wakeford’s defection during PMQs, Mr Johnson said the Conservatives would “win again in Bury South” at the next election. 

‘Incompetent Tory government asleep at the wheel’

Sir Keir said: “I would like to welcome Christian Wakeford to the Labour Party. He has always put the people of Bury South first. 

“As Christian said, the policies of the Conservative government are doing nothing to help the people of Bury South and indeed are only making the struggles they face on a daily basis worse.

“People across Britain faces a cost of living crisis but this incompetent Tory Government is asleep at the wheel, distracted by a chaos of its own making. Meanwhile families, businesses and pensioners are suffering from the Conservative failure to tackle rising food, fuel and energy prices.

“Labour are the only ones who have put forward a plan to help people through the Tory cost of living crisis.”