Seven MP's have resigned from the Labour Party in protest at Jeremy Corbyn's approach to Brexit and anti-Semitism. They are Chuka Umunna, Luciana Berger, Chris Leslie, Angela Smith, Ann Coffey, Gavin Shuker and Mike Grapes.
The MP's, who all back a further EU referendum, will sit in Parliament as The Independent Group. So is this the birth of a new political party? Apparently not, however Chuka Umunna said they had 'taken the first step' and urged other Labour MP's and also members of other parties to join them in 'building a new politics' The group have published a founding statement on its website in which it sets out it's approach to the economy, public services and security as well as Brexit and states that it aims to 'pursue policies that are evidence-based, rather than led by ideology'
It is believed that more Labour MP's may defect unless the party shows a more robust response to the anti- Semitism claims, but unless the Independent Group can attract supporters from beyond Labour it will be unlikely to become a proper 'centre party'
We may or may not be witnessing the birth of a new party but Jeremy Corbyn's supporters must be feeling Labour's pains.
