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Hello, I'm Alva and you're listening to the New Statement podcast. On today's episode,

I'm joined by Christian Wakeford.

That was the moment that Christian Wakeford, the former Conservative MP for

Barry Siles, defected to the Labour Party at the height of the Partygate scandal.

He joins me to talk about what it really felt like to cross the floor,

losing friends over the defection and whether he thinks he is now Christian Wakeford.

You're a very, very welcome on the new states from podcasts. It's been quite an eventful

few weeks for you. Yeah, I think it's a slight understatement, I think, really.

Can I just begin by asking you then? That moment, right before Prime Minister's questions,

it's crunch time for Boris Johnson and it takes everyone by surprise. We all see on our phones

about 10 minutes before Prime Minister's questions begin. Christian Wakeford, the MP for Barry Siles,

has defected to the Labour Party and you walk into the chamber, you cross the floor and go and take

your seat on the Labour benches and then, Keir Starmer welcomes you and draws attention to your

defection. How did that feel for you? If I'm honest, I think the biggest achievement I had that day

was not throwing up on the back of Keir Starmer's head. It was, wow, trying to see friends and

not see friends and trying not to make eye contact with anyone and just get through

for a morning that was already a blur. Yeah, I think as much as I hate cliches but just the

...