All change... Umunna joins the Lib Dems

CHUKA UMUNNA has joined the Liberal Democrats days after quitting the party he founded.

The MP for Streatham who quit the Labour Party to form the Independent Group, which became Change UK, in February, will be the 12th Lib Dem MP.

Last night Layla Moran MP tweeted: “So thrilled to welcome Chuka Umunna to team Lib Dems.”

Sir Vince Cable, the party’s outgoing leader, told The Times Mr Umunna was a “formidable, serious political figure”.

Mr Umunna, who stood for the Labour leadership in 2015, is a vocal supporter of a second EU referendum.

Last week he was one of six MPS to quit Change UK less than two months after it first registered as a political party. The interim leader Heidi Allen, who was criticised by her former colleagues for suggesting supporters should vote tactically for the Liberal Democrats, also left.

Change UK failed to win a single seat in the European elections despite fielding a full slate of candidates.

Jo Swinson, the deputy leader who is tipped to replace Mr Cable in July, said she was “delighted” at Mr Umunna’s move. “I have said all along that growing a liberal movement means reaching out to bring more people into our party,” said Ms Swinson.

“I have worked with Chuka on the People’s Vote campaign, and I know the passion, intellect, and energy he will bring to our party, and our campaign to stop Brexit. This proves that the Liberal Democrats are the rallying point for those opposed to Brexit.”

‘I know the passion, intellect and energy he will bring to our party and campaign to stop Brexit’

It came as Change UK said it would change its name for a third time after a legal threat from Change.org, the petition website. The party will apply for registration with the Electoral Commission as “The Independent Group for Change”. A spokesman for the party said the legal action by Change.org could have resulted in “each MP being sued personally”.