cross the floor
cross the floor
1. Of parliamentary members, to vote against the common trend of one's political party (i.e., vote "against party lines"). Primarily heard in UK, Australia, New Zealand. Though it is largely opposed by the Conservative Party, enough PMs have crossed the floor on this issue that it looks like it might succeed.
2. Of parliamentary members, to leave one's current political party and join another, such that one's legislative seat is physically moved to the new party's location in parliament. Primarily heard in UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand. Following the prime minister's controversial tax bill, several members of his party crossed the floor to the Labor Party.
Farlex Dictionary of Idioms. © 2015 Farlex, Inc, all rights reserved.
cross the floor
join the opposing side in Parliament. BritishThe floor of the House of Commons is the open space separating members of the Government and Opposition parties, who sit on benches facing each other across it.
Farlex Partner Idioms Dictionary © Farlex 2017