Seven MPs leave Labour in protest over leader Corbyn

Press Association

A GROUP of seven Labour MPs have resigned from the party to create a new Independent Group in the House of Commons, in the most significant split in British politics since the breakaway of the Social Democratic Party in the 1980s.

Chuka Umunna, Luciana Berger, Chris Leslie, Angela Smith, Gavin Shuker, Mike Gapes and Ann Coffey are among the MPs from the party’s centrist wing who have been the loudest critics of Jeremy Corbyn’s leadership, his stance on Brexit and his handling of allegations of anti-Semitism.

They issued an appeal to MPs from both Labour and other parties to “leave the old tribal politics behind” and join their new grouping.

In a Statement of Independence, setting out their values and approach, they promised to “pursue policies that are evidence-based, not led by ideology, taking a long-term perspective to the challenges of the 21st century in the national interest, rather than locked in the old politics of the 20th century in the parties’ interests”.

None of the current political parties in Westminster “are fit to provide the leadership and direction needed by our country”, they said.

And they pledged: “As an Independent Group we aim to recognise the value of healthy debate, show tolerance towards different opinions and seek to reach across outdated divides and build consensus to tackle Britain’s problems.”

At a press conference at London’s County Hall to announce their move, Mr Umunna issued an appeal to voters: “For far too long, political parties in Westminster - parties of which we have been a part - have been failing you.

“If you are sick and tired of politics as usual, guess what? So are we.

“If you want an alternative, please help us build it. The bottom line is this - politics is broken, it doesn’t have to be this way. Let’s change it.”

In a call on other MPs to quit their parties, Mr Umunna said: “We’ve taken the first step in leaving the old tribal politics behind and we invite others who share our political values to do so too.

“You might come from a Labour background but you might come from other political traditions. Yes, it’s a difficult decision - make no mistake about that.

“But you don’t join a political party to spend years and years fighting the people within it. You get involved in politics, you join a party, to change the world.

“We invite you to leave your parties and help us forge a new consensus on a way forward for Britain.”

Mr Leslie - a former shadow chancellor - said that Labour had been “hijacked by the machine politics of the hard left”, while Ms Berger said she had come to the “sickening” conclusion that the party is now “institutionally anti-Semitic”.

Shadow chancellor John McDonnell called on the seven MPs to do “the honourable thing” and stand down to fight by-elections in their constituencies. That call was rejected by the MPs, with Mr Leslie telling the BBC’s World At One that elections were the last thing needed “at this moment of crisis”.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said he was “disappointed” at the group’s decision.

“I am disappointed that these MPs have felt unable to continue to work together for the Labour policies that inspired millions at the last election and saw us increase our vote by the largest share since 1945,” said the Labour leader in a statement.

I am disappointed that these MPs have felt unable to continue to work together for the Labour policies that inspired millions...