Chuka Umunna leads six other MPs in resigning from Labour to form new party over Brexit

STREATHAM member of Parliament Chuka Umunna has led six other MPs to break away from the Labour Party and form a new association known as The Independent Group which will campaign for the UK to remain within the European Union (EU).

In the first major split in European politics since the mid 1980s, seven Labour MPs have left the party and are calling on their colleagues from across the House of Commons to join them. Joining Mr Umunna in resigning from the Labour Party are Luciana Berger, Chris Leslie, Mike Gapes, Angela Smith, Ann Coffey and Gavin Shuker.

They pointed out that the Independent Group intended to stand for a diverse, mixed social market economy and progressive values that had been abandoned by today’s Labour party. Some pro-EU Tories such as Anna Soubry and Sarah Wollaston are also thought to be mulling their future and may consider joining them.

Mr Umunna said: “It is time we dumped this country's old fashioned politics and created an alternative which does justice to who we are today and gives this country and politics fit for the here and now, for the 21st century, not the last one. So we have taken the first step in leaving the old tribal politics behind and we invite others who share our political values to do so too.

“You might come from a Labour background but you might come from other political traditions and yes it’s a difficult decision, make no mistake about that. You get involved in politics, you join a party to join the world, so we invite you to join your parties and help us forge a new consensus on a way forward for Britain.”

At the moment, five pro-EU Tory MPs are facing no-confidence motions from their local associations, which want them to be more supportive of the government's approach to Brexit. Lib Dem leader Vince Cable said the split from Labour was not unexpected, or unwelcome, saying he would be willing to campaign alongside the Independent Group.

Mr Cable added: "The Liberal Democrats are open to working with like-minded groups and individuals in order to give the people the final say on Brexit, with the option to remain in the EU.  We will be engaging in talks to progress both that campaign and a wider political agenda.”

Labour politicians have called on the seven MPs to stand down and trigger by-elections to put their new platform to the test. Apart from the Brexit issue, the MPs are also said to be unhappy about the way labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has handled the matter of anti-Semitism within the party.