Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Rebel MPS quit in protest over Corbyn stance on Brexit and his handling of anti-semitism
MONTHS of mounting anger at Jeremy Corbyn over his handling of anti-semitism claims, Brexit and his brand of politics exploded yesterday as seven Labour MPS quit the party.
Chuka Umunna, Chris Leslie, Luciana Berger, Angela Smith, Ann Coffey, Gavin Shuker and Mike Gapes resigned their memberships in a co-ordinated move aimed at piling maximum pressure on the leader.
Resisting calls for by-elections, this “Gang of Seven” will sit as the Independent Group, in the most significant split in British politics since the Social Democratic Party breakaway almost four decades ago.
Ms Berger, who is Jewish, said it had been “a very difficult, painful, but necessary decision” triggered after she became “embarrassed and ashamed to remain in the Labour Party”.
She said: “I have not changed. The core values of equality for all, opportunity for all, anti-racism
“Antisemitism is rife and tolerated. Any criticism of the leadership is responded to with abuse and accusations of treachery.” against all and social justice, the values which I hold really dear and which led me to join the Labour Party as a student almost 20 years ago remain who I am.
“And yet these values have been consistently and constantly violated, undermined and attacked, as the Labour Party today refuses to put my constituents and our country before party interests.
“I cannot remain in a party which, I have come to the sickening conclusion, is institutionally anti-semitic.”
The group, which is backing a second EU referendum, launched a
Criticised the party’s attitude to working-class voters. “Enough evidence” to suggest people wanted “a new political movement”. website yesterday with the key message: “Politics is broken. Let’s change it.”
Expectation of a Labour split had been building for months but it became official at 10.05am yesterday.
The seven sent individual emails to party HQ before walking on stage at London’s County Hall to confirm their decision.
Former Shadow Chancellor Mr Leslie claimed Labour had been “hijacked by the machine politics of
He said Brexit was the “tipping point” and the Labour Party has been “hijacked by the machine politics of the hard left.” the hard left”. Mr Gapes said he was “sickened the Labour Party is now a racist, anti-semitic party” and “furious the Labour leadership is complicit in facilitating Brexit”.
Ms Coffey said: “Any criticism of the leadership is responded to with abuse and accusations of treachery. Anti-semitism is rife and tolerated.” Luton South MP Mr Shuker believed the party was “riddled with anti-semitism, it presents a threat to
ON LEAVING LABOUR PARTY