Schism hits Labour as seven MPs quit

SEVEN Labour MPs have e quit over leader Jeremy y Corbyn’s approach to Brexit t and a row over anti-Semi-- tism, saying Britain’s main opposition party has been “hijacked by the machine politics of the hard left”.

In a direct challenge to Mrr Corbyn, the seven centrist MPs said they were courting others from across parliament to join their group, saying “enough is enough” in keeping silent over their doubts about the Labour Leader’s fitness for office.

United by a desire for a second referendum on Britain’s decision to leave the European Union, they acknowledged their resigna- tionstions wowouldld nott changeh ththe arithmetic in parliament, where there is, as yet, no majority for such a vote.

But their move underlines increasing frustration within Labour over Mr Corbyn’s reluctance to change his Brexit strategy – a preference for a new election or his own plan to leave the European bloc.

With only 39 days until Britain leaves the EU, divisions over Brexit have fragmented British politics, breaking down traditional party lines and creating new ad hoc coalitions.

“The Labour Party we joined that we campaigned for and believed in is no longer today’s Labour Party,” MP Chris Leslie said yesterday. “It has now been hijacked by the machine politics of the hard left.

“Evidence of Labour’s betrayal on Europe is now visible for all to see.

“Offering to actually enable this Government’s Brexit – constantly holding back from allowing the public a final say.”

The seven MPs are Mr Leslie, Luciana Berger, Angela Smith, Gavin Shuker, Chuka Umunna, Mike Gapes and Ann Coffey. They will continue as members of parliament and call themselves The Independent- Group.

Mr Corbyn was disappointed the group had left the party, referring in a statement to “Labour policies that inspired millions at the last election”, when the party saw its biggest increase in vote share since 1945 to win 262 seats.

Some accused Mr Corbyn — a supporter of Palestinian rights and critic of the Israeli Government — of failing to tackle anti-Semitism in the party since he took the helm in 2015.

Mr Corbyn has denied the allegation.

Pictures: AFP OUT: Former Labour Party MPs, from Left, Ann Coffey, Angela Smith, Chris Leslie, Chuka Umunna, Mike Gapes, Luciana Berger and Gavin Shuker and, below, Labour Leader Jeremy Corbyn is flanked by colleagues Dawn Butler and Dan Carden.