Mason Humberstone, the first councillor to defect from Labour to Reform UK, has spoken about his reasons for leaving in a brutal swipe against Keir Starmer. Humberstone joined Christopher Hope on GB News to discuss why he’d decided to jump ship, but also admitted he would have “lost his conscience” had he remained a part of Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour party. He also suggested more Labour colleagues will follow in his footsteps, which is worrying news for Starmer.
He said to Christopher: “We have left ordinary people across the country behind. It upsets me. What have we done since the election? We are mired in scandal, and we have let so many people down. It’s only going to get worse. I had to move and do the right thing. I am looking forward to ensuring this movement to ensure we get real change done.”
Responding to criticism for leaving Labour, Mason said: “I’m not surprised, but I’m not going to get involved in the vitriol. I have received love and support. At the end of the day, I am disappointed if they go down that road.”
When quizzed on whether other Labour councillors would follow in his footsteps, he said, “It’s been a lot. It’s been overwhelming. A lot of colleagues are sad to see me go, but a lot of them share the same view.
“I am looking forward to seeing what happens. I can support anyone in any way. My DMs (direct messages) are open, and I am willing to support them in any way. There’s more to come.”
It didn’t rtake long before viewers flooded to X – formerly known as Twitter – to share their thoughts online. One person in the comments section on GB News said: “How any of the remaining MPs etc. can remain in Labour and say it with a straight face is beyond me.”
Another person argued: “I would be a little sceptical, personally. Labour will no doubt be planting people into Reform to suddenly say how terrible they are sometime between now and the next election.”
Meanwhile, one viewer at home praised Mason and said: “Mason, you are welcome into reform and have done the right thing by leaving a sinking ship in the Labour Party.”