Issues that led to bitter split

WHY have the seven MPs quit the Labour Party to sit as The Independent Group in the House of Commons?

ANTI-SEMITISM

LABOUR has been beset with controversy over prejudice against Jewish people since Jeremy Corbyn became leader.

It emerged last week that the party has received 673 complaints in 10 months alleging acts of anti-Semitism by members.

An independent investigation into the problem in 2016 was seen as a whitewash that just built further resentments.

The MPs were unhappy with Corbyn’s response to having defended an anti-Semitic mural, his attendance at a wreath-laying for the alleged perpetrators of the Munich massacre and a video showing him saying Zionists had “no sense of English irony”.

Luciana Berger, who is Jewish, said: “I cannot remain in a party that I have come to the sickening conclusion is institutionally anti-Semitic.”

BREXIT

ALL seven MPs are Remainers who are key figures in the campaign for a second EU vote.

They think Corbyn and the hard left party leadership are Eurosceptics desperate to see the UK leave the European Union.

Last year’s party conference agreed that Labour would pursue a People’s Vote if it was not possible to secure a snap general election but Corbyn has resisted all pressure to follow this course of action.

Chris Leslie said: “We can no longer knock on doors and support a government led by Jeremy Corbyn or the team around him.

“The evidence of Labour’s betrayal on Europe is now visible for all to see – choosing to stand by while our constituents’ lives and future opportunities are hurt by Brexit is a fundamental violation of Labour’s traditional values.”

DESELECTION

THE breakaway MPs were facing internal challenges from Corbyn supporters for their seats.

A motion of no confidence in Berger over claims she had been disloyal to Jeremy Corbyn, which had been due to be debated by the local party, was withdrawn last week amid a row over anti-Semitism.

Chuka Umunna has also came in for fierce abuse from Corbyn supporters online and it is known a challenge was being prepared in his Streatham constituency.

There is a feeling in many cases the seven MPs were jumping before they were pushed.

Ann Coffey said: “Political parties are not an end in themselves. The Labour Party has lost sight of this and any criticism of the leadership is responded to with abuse and

accusations of treachery.”

NATIONAL SECURITY

THE moderate wing of the Labour Party has long had major concerns about Jeremy Corbyn’s foreign policy views and previous associations.

In October 1984, two weeks after an IRA bomb killed five at the Tory Party conference in Brighton, Corbyn invited two convicted IRA volunteers to the House of Commons.

He is also seen as sympathetic to Russia and other regimes hostile to the West.

A flashpoint came in the wake of last year’s Sergei Skripal incident when Corbyn refused to blame Russia for the Novichok attack in Salisbury, even calling for Moscow to be given samples of the deadly poison.

Mike Gapes said: “A Corbyn Labour government would threaten our national security and international alliances.”