A by-election should be held in Bury South after Tory MP Christian Wakeford defected to Labour on Wednesday because the people deserve a choice, the Health Secretary has said.

       In a dramatic day in Parliament, the 2019 General Election Tory recruit crossed the floor moments before Prime Minister's Questions as Boris Johnson fought for his political life.

       The move appeared to backfire for Labour, with the defection appearing to unite backbench Tory MPs who had been planning to file letters of no confidence in the Prime Minister.

       As the dust settled, the Health Secretary told Sky News he would welcome a by-election in a seat that the Tories gained from Labour just over two years ago by a slender majority of just 402 votes.

       He said: "I was sad to see Christian go, it's never good for any political party to see one of your own leave and defect in that way, of course it's not good news.

       "But it's a decision for him. I feel sorry for the people of Bury South - they voted Conservative

       "I think a by-election would be welcome... I'd be very happy with a by election.

       "I think Christian would be happy with a by-election, I think he's supported by-elections in these circumstances before.

       "I think that given the people of Bury South rightly voted Conservative in 2019, they wanted to get Brexit done, they wanted a strong economy and all of that.

       "And now they've got an MP who has changed his affiliation without their permission - why not give them a say?"

       But a Labour leadership source played down the chances of a fresh vote, telling the broadcaster: "There won't be a by-election."

       Shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves has praised Mr Wakeford's defection to the Labour Party, and told the BBC Radio 4's Today Programme: "I'm happy to have him as a Labour MP and I'm looking forward to getting to know him.

       "I'm going to be meeting him in Bury in his constituency later today."

       She added: "He has looked at the Conservative Party and sees that they're no longer fit to lead.

       "He looks at the Labour Party under Keir Starmer, he sees that the Labour Party has changed.

       "He also sees his old party the Conservative Party has changed and many people are drawing the same conclusion that the Conservatives and Boris Johnson are no longer fit to lead."

       It is understood up to seven Tory MPs have with now withdrawn their letters of no confidence, and the turning point appears to have been the defection.

       Andrew Percy, Brigg and Goole MP, told BBC Radio 4's Today Programme: "It's kind of made people a bit more relaxed, it's calmed nerves.

       "I think people have recognised that actually this constant navel gazing and internal debating is only to the advantage of our political opponents.

       "The Prime Minister is probably thanking Christian for what he did because it's made a lot of people think again, think twice."

       However, with the Sue Gray inquiry into lockdown parties held at Downing Street expected to report next week, Mr Johnson is not out of the woods.