Politics
Tory MPs leave party to join Labour breakaway group
Three MPs - Sarah Wollaston, Heidi Allen and Anna Soubry - leave the Tory party to join Labour breakaway group. The Independent Group was formed yesterday by seven former Labour MPs, including Chuka Umunna, Luciana Berger and Chris Leslie. Late yesterday evening Joan Ryan became the eighth MP to quit Labour and join the new group. In a letter to Theresa May to explain their reasons for leaving the Conservative Party, they wrote: “We no longer feel we can remain in the party...
Man who threatened MP Yvette Cooper cautioned by police
The 59-year-old Leeds man was arrested in Castleford on Friday, 1 February over threats to the Normanton, Pontefract and Castleford MP
Watch – Fantastic Brexit takedown from man losing job at Honda has gone viral
Honda is going to shut its Swindon car plant in 2022, with the loss of about 3,500 jobs. Local MP Justin Tomlinson said he had spoken to Honda, which confirmed it was consulting with "all staff". "There is not expected to be any job losses, or changes in production until 2021," Mr Tomlinson said. Des Quinn from Unite said: "The car industry in the UK over the last two decades has been the jewel in the crown for the manufacturing...
Umunna’s decision to quit Labour and form new Independent Group divides constituents
The 40-year-old has been MP for Streatham in south London since 2010
Claims Honda is about to close factory in Britain with loss of over 3,500 jobs
Reports say the car giant is set to announce the shutting of the plant in Swindon., Wilts, on Tuesday
“Hugely disappointing” Labour resignations “risking a Tory Government”
This morning’s resignations by seven Labour MPs has dealt a blow to Jeremy Corbyn's hopes of entering 10 Downing Street. The split is seen as similar to the 'gang of four' who broke away to set up the SDP in the 80s. The MPs who have left to sit as independents are – Chuka Umunna, MP for Streatham and former shadow business secretary. Luciana Berger, MP for Liverpool Wavertree and former shadow minister for mental health. Gavin Shuker, MP for...
Corbyn calls for Labour defectors to submit themselves to by elections
Jeremy Corbyn has called for Labour defectors to submit themselves to by elections after they quit the party to start a rival group. Chuka Umunna, Luciana Berger, Chris Leslie, Angela Smith, Mike Gape, Gavin Shuker and Anne Coffey announced they were resigning today and will sit in Parliament as the Independent Group. Leslie said Labour has been “hijacked by the machine politics of the left”, while Mike Grapes called the party "racist and antisemitic". But Corbyn reminded the group that Labour policies "inspired millions...
Britain braced for political chasm as Tories and Labour face splits
Britain is facing the sort of political chasm not seen since the start of the 20th century in the run-up to Brexit D-Day. Seven Labour MPs today quit the party to sit as an independent group in the House of Commons. Chuka Umunna, Luciana Berger, Chris Leslie, Angela Smith, Mike Gape, Gavin Shuker and Anne Coffey founded a new party in a bid to move away from Corbynist politics, but warned the Tories they are not immune from this kind of...
Corbyn “disappointed” as seven MPs leave Labour party
Seven Labour MPs have quit the party and will sit as an independent group in the House of Commons. The MPs who have left Labour are Chuka Umunna, Luciana Berger, Chris Leslie, Angela Smith, Mike Gape, Gavin Shuker and Anne Coffey. Luciana Berger told a press conference to announce the split that she “cannot remain in a party that I have done to the sickening conclusion is institutionally antisemitic. “We will sit in parliament as a new independent group of...